Edge Davao 6 Issue 119

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

EDGEDAVAO www.edgedavao.net

VOL. 6 ISSUE 119 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Serving a seamless society

PULONG’S RAPS. Davao City Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte (right) signs an affidavit of complaint for the direct assault case he filed against Michael Hatcher after a traffic altercation incident, in front of his lawyer Alexis Lumbatan (left) and city prosecutor Gaye Cañete Magdagasang at the Ninoy Aquino Hall of Justice in Ecoland yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

Pulong sues Australian BULLY OR VICTIM? Australian Michael Hatcher demonstrates to members of media how Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte pointed fingers at him and uttered harsh words while waiting for an inquest proceedings yesterday.

Lean Daval Jr.

By EJ DOMINIC FERNANDEZ and By EMILORD P. CASTROMAYOR

A

N Australian treasure hunter may have found the wrong guy to throw his rage and the wrong road to demonstrate his driving skills.

At least, that’s the version of the story from Vice Mayor Paolo Z. Duterte and a police officer who both filed direct assault and frustrated murder charges against the Australian national after a morning road rage incident.

The treasure hunter identified as Michael Hatcher, 73, was escorted by police at the office of Prosecutor Gaye Cañete Magdagasang, for the inquest proceedings. He was booked earlier at the Talomo Police Station after the traffic altercation around 10:35 am along McArthur Highway, south of Davao City for alleged reckless driving and for direct assault.

FPULONG,10

FROZEN PORK P74.52-M PDAF barely utilized

By GREGORIO G. DELIGERO greg@edgedavao.net

T

HERE’S a big fat ‘pork’ that went into the coffers of Davao City. Not to worry though, the pork is far from being consumed.

As of June 30, 2013, a total of P74.52 million coming from Priority Development Assistance Funds (PDAF) were released to the local coffers of Davao City but the city government barely touched the funds identified by senators and congressmen.

FFROZEN,10

INSIDE:

Davao City gov’t. has P18.85-M ‘extra’ fund BIR sees higher than P60-B sin tax revenues for 2013 DC athletes win 2 golds

2

6 16

2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 119 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Coloma commends concept behind Million People March

By EJ DOMINIC FERNANDEZ

P

ejf@edgedavao.net

RESIDENTIAL Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma commended organizers of Monday’s Million People March for creating an avenue for a healthy and vibrant democracy.

Speaking in a forum yesterday at the Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City, Coloma said that although the local event done at Rizal Park was joined by only over a thousand people, it was not the number, but the concept of the march that counted.

“The main concept is that there is an evolving process, where people are

slowly gaining maturity, and are becoming more vigilant by practicing their civic spirit,” he said, adding, “this is why the President’s office is pushing to provide information and enhance the knowledge of the people about the budget process in government.”

“Our vision is to ensure that our people are adequately informed so that they can make informed decisions that will enable them to improve their commodities and contribute to nation building,” he said.

“We have been tracking the sentiments of the

FCOLOMA, 10

Mylene clarifies P9.45M PDAF expense for Isabela

By ANTONIO M. AJERO

D

ama@edgedavao.net

AVAO CITY Rep. Mylene Garcia-Albano (2nd dist) yesterday explained why P9,450,000 of her Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) went to the province of Isabela as stated in the 2012 report of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Saying that news reports that came were only half of the story, Mylene said “I did not give funds to Isabela. I exchanged the same amount.”

The 2nd district representative said that it was the result of an exchange or “swap” of her P9,450,000 budget for “soft” projects in her district with that of exactly the same amount (P9,450,000) for “hard”

projects in the PDAF of Isabela’s former Rep. Rodolfo Albano who happened to be her father-in-law, being married to Rodolfo “Rodito” Albano III. “Hard” allocations are for projects like infrastructures, roads, bridges, drainage systems, and others which are usually implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWD), while “soft” allocations are for trainings, disaster preparedness (not including procurement of tools, equipment and machineries), computers, health care assistance, educational assistance, social services, livelihood and similar projects that are implemented

FMYLENE, 10

LAUDED. Sec. Herminio Coloma of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) lauds the recent # Million People March saying that although the number of participants was not impressive, what counts is

its concept during yesterday’s press briefing at the Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

Davao City gov’t. has P18.85-M ‘extra’ fund

By GREGORIO G. DELIGERO greg@edgedavao.net

W

HO says the Davao City government is short of funds?

A closer look at Supplemental Budget No. 2 deliberated on by the city council Tuesday afternoon showed that the city government has P235,121,207 available to fund more projects, as certified by the Local Finance Committee (LFC).

The total proposed supplemental appropriations, however, amount

only to P216,266,410, leaving and “extra” fund P18,854,797.

The bulk amount of P156 million or 66.71 percent of the total available money is from the general fund proper, particularly from business taxes and reversion of funds previously allotted for personnel services savings, lump sum appropriations and maintenance and operating expenses.

Second biggest source of funds is the

annual development fund, contributing P74 million or 31.71 percent of the available money, mostly coming from reversion of funds allotted for various infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects which were unimplemented.

The city government-owned economic enterprises shares a measly P3.68 million or 1.5 percent of the total available funds, mostly coming from personnel services savings.

3 problems in housing bared in nat’l confab T

ENTERTAINMENT. Kagan Dance Collective provides entertainment through its energetic dance number the guests and delegates of the 4th Organization of Socialized Housing Developers of the Philippines (OSHDP)-

Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) National Convention at the Marco Polo Davao in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

In the proposed supplemental budget, the bulk of P190.92 million or 88.28 percent is allotted for the peace and order and Lingap health care program of the City Mayor’s Office (CMO).

The far second biggest allocation is the P12.41 million, constituting 5.7 percent of the total appropriations, allotted for garbage collection by the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro).

HE Organization of Socialized Housing Developers of the Philippines (OSHDP) held its Fourth National Convention on August 28-29 at The Marco Polo Davao where they discussed issues on developing, improving, and financing of the housing sector in the country.

OSHDP President Christopher Ryan Tan, in his Program Thrust and Advocacies overview, presented four major frameworks for the convention.

The frameworks include improving the regulatory and institutional environment for the housing development and construction sector; improving regulations and institutions for the housing finance sector; using well-targeted subsidy

incentives to improve the efficient supply of housing supply; and providing well-targeted subsidies to households.

Tan pointed out the three major housing problems in the country which are; (a) proliferation of informal settler families in urban areas – which, at latest count, reached 600,000 nationwide and 104,000 in rhe National Capital Region (NCR) alone; (b) faster increase in housing needs compared to actual housing units production; and (c) widening affordability gap of minimum housing standards, among others.

Tan said, OSHDP supports the creation of a Department of Housing and Urban Development

F3 PROBLEMS, 10

3 SUBURBIA

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 119 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

GENERAL SANTOS CITY

LGU to tap experts to solve flooding I

N a bid to resolve the General Santos City’s flooding problems, a city council member here has proposed for the conduct of extensive studies on the area’s drainage systems by experts from the Mindanao State University (MSU) campus here.

City Councilor Rosalita Nuñez, chair of the city council’s committee on city land use, urban planning and development, said Tuesday the state-run university has a pool of environment and urban planning experts that could help the city government effectively address the perennial flooding in some parts of the area during the rainy season.

She said the university could specifically assist the city in drawing up sustainable management strategies on the problem by way of extensive studies, researches, data gathering and analysis.

“A lasting and fast solution to the city’s flooding problem indispensably requires the aid of such knowledgeable entity. Its recommendations for a sustainable drainage system and other proactive schemes shall be incorporated in the existing flood management strategy of the city,” Nuñez said.

To expedite the move, Nuñez filed a proposed resolution during the

council’s regular session requesting MSU General Santos to look into the perennial flooding in various parts of the city during the rainy season and recommend possible solutions to the problem.

The measure was referred to the city council’s committee on city land use, urban planning and development for further studies and consultations.

Nuñez, who is a former city mayor, said an earlier assessment showed that the advent of increased urbanization and inadequacy of drainage facilities in the city, aside from climate change and high rainfall volume, caused the city’s flooding problems.

“It has interfered with the economic use of lands in the farming sector, destroyed structures like bridges within floodways and affected traffic flows in lowly-elevated roadways of the city,” she noted.

The official said the problem, if not effectively addressed, could cause more significant damages to properties, further endanger the lives of local residents and eventually hamper the city’s economic activities.

“The effect of the floods within the city’s jurisdiction may seem trivial as tasked government agencies just perform the usual repertoire of doing

STO.TOMAS, DAVAO DEL NORTE

BSP TAGUM CITY. Tagum City Mayor Allan Rellon, who sits as the Council Chairman of the Tagum City Council of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, presides over roundtable conference in preparation for the 7th Council-Wide Rover Vigil and Investiture Ceremonies, which will be held on social works but in reality, however, it actually inflicts financial losses considering the thousands and millions of pesos spent by the city government virtually every year in aiding the flood victims,” she added.

Last month, around 290 families were affected by severe floods that swept portions of Purok Kindat and Purok Bulaong Extension in Barangay Labangal and Purok Silway Fatima in Barangay Dadiangas West.

The floods mainly affected communities near the banks of the Silway River, which flows to Sarangani Bay and serves as the main outlet of several river-tributaries from the upland areas in nearby South Cotabato province.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera earlier said the local government had initiated negotiations with urban planners for a study and development of a comprehensive drainage system for the city.

The mayor said the

September 7, 2013 at DepEd Function Hall in Energy Park, Apokon, Tagum City. The said ceremony will be participated by Barangay SK Chairperson, LGU department heads and personnel, heads of school, student councils, students and youth leaders. Photo by Leo Timogan of CIO Tagum study will cover barangays and communities traversed by various waterways that have experienced severe flooding during the rainy season.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) in Region 12 earlier identified barangays Baluan, Buayan, Bula, Calumpang, Siguel, Lagao and Sinawal as high-risk to flooding.

The seven villages were among the 340 communities in Region 12 that were found to be highly vulnerable and will

likely become “uninhabitable” during floods.

MGB said most of these areas are part of a flood plain and are vulnerable to heavy flooding after just two to three hours of rains fur to the lack of substantial storm drainage.

Other areas in the city that are considered as flood-prone are barangays City Heights, Apopong, Labangal, Dadiangas North and Dadiangas West. [Allen V. Estabillo/ MindaNews]

EPARTMENT of Social Work and Development Director Priscilla N. Razon led the launch of the Synergizing Efforts for Disaster Risk Reduction program in the Provinces of Compostela Valley and Davao Oriental Tuesday at The Pinnacle Hotel and Suites.

Also present at the launch was World Food Programme Representative and Country Director Praveen Agrawal who provided the program brief.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Plan International (Plan), and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) initiated the program with funding from the United States Agency for International Development’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA).

The three agencies agreed to work closely together and build upon each organization’s DRR

(disaster risk reduction) programs to make a bigger impact on vulnerable communities.

The three will share information and assessments and mapping of program areas and interventions to ensure no overlap in their respective projects. The agencies will also conduct joint monitoring and evaluation activities and share technical expertise and resources as part of the cooperation.

Under this synergy of initiatives, CRS will implement its project in three municipalities (Compostela, Monkayo, New Bataan) and 15 barangays in Compostela Valley. Plan will implement in Baganga, Boston, Cateel and in 12 schools in Davao Oriental. WFP will implement in the two provinces focusing on the PLGUs, Monkayo, New Bataan, Baganga and Cateel.

[UN/DSWD]

Synergy Initiatives launched

DA allocates P780k for organic farming D T

HE Department of Agriculture here in Sto. Tomas town is pushing for the promotion and implementation of organic agriculture through organic farming believed to promote a socially acceptable, ecologically sound and economically viable and technically feasible production of food that chemical-free and safe to consume.

Elmer Degorio, head

SOUTH COTABATO

municipal agriculturist of the Department of Agriculture, said Wednesday that the town’s agriculture agency has allocated a budget of P789, 200 for the implementation of the said program aimed to help local farmers ensure food security and produced foods that not detrimental to the environment and health of the people.

The amount, Degorio

said, “will greatly boost organic farming in the town which promotes environment-friendly food production practices which the country needs to invest in to help cut its carbon footprint and help address the challenge of climate change.”

As of August 2013, there are already eight (8) villages have been implementing the program.

These are in San Vicente,

Esperanza, Tulalian, Tibal-og, New Visayas, Talomo, Pantaron and New Katipunan villages.

The program was administered by 300 farmers which were beneficiaries and graduates of Palay Check System— a farmer’s field school program that trains local farmers to complete a 16 weeks of comprehensive trainings on farming.

[Mart Dumali Sambalud]

OUTH Cotabato’s bid to convert its provincial hospital annex in Surallah town into a regional medical center has started to gain some momentum before the Senate and House of Representatives.

South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said second district Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez is now working on the passage of a House resolution seeking the adoption and development by the Department of Health (DOH) of the Upper Valley

Community Hospital in Barangay Dajay in Surallah into a regional-level facility.

She said the proposed resolution specifically seeks the conversion of the hospital into a DOH-operated regional medical center.

“The proposal has already gained the support of a number of congressmen but we need to get their actual signatures first and that might take some time,” the governor said.

At the Senate, Fuentes said Senate President Franklin Drilon already

gave his commitment to “champion” the province’s conversion bid for the provincial hospital annex.

She said Drilon pledged to allot some funds for the construction of additional facilities and the acquisition of more equipment for the hospital.

To facilitate these moves, she said the provincial government is now working on the creation of a technical working group that will spearhead the hospital’s development initiatives.

The construction of

the hospital, which is classified as an annex of the provincial hospital in Koronadal City, is currently ongoing and is due for completion by the last quarter of the year.

The facility, which will serve as the main inter-local health zone hospital or health care hub for the province’s upper valley area, is projected to help decongest the main South Cotabato Provincial Hospital in Koronadal City by 25 percent.

[Allen V. Estabillo / MindaNews]

Annex provincial hospital eyed as medical center S

4 NATION EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 6 ISSUE 119 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

ON STANDBY RESCUE. Firetruck offer free ride to commuters stranded in Bacoor City proper to Kalinisan st. in Zapote Market.[right]Bacoor PNP Police personnel reserve command prepare to be dispatched in the city of Bacoor upon the instructions of the city government to help in the clean up drive,Wednesday morning, Aug. 28,2013.[PNA Photo by Marvie A.Lloren]

Cayetano bent on ensuring passage of Senate resolution abolishing ‘pork’ S

ENATE Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano is determined to push for the passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 4 which seeks to abolish the pork barrel system.

“I will not let anyone derail the passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 4. The Million People March shows that it is not enough to say ‘We are listening to the people’. We need to act now,” he said.

The Senator recently filed Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 4 amidst calls for a thorough inquiry into the alleged P10-billion pork barrel scandal, seeking an end

MANILA

to the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and pushing to reveal, investigate, and prosecute those involved in the pork barrel scam (R.I.P. Pork).

Cayetano also called on fellow lawmakers to open their books to state auditors for greater transparency and accountability in the 16th Congress.

“The clamor for transparency is great.

Let us be transparent.

Those tagged in the issue should be willing to submit themselves to questioning during an investigation in the spirit of transparency, accountability and reform,” he

said. “(Sa investigation, lahat ng lead kailangan mong sundan. So if it leads to the door of a senator or a congressman, whether pamilya niya o staff niya o kamag-anak niya o siya mismo ang ipatawag ng NBI, huwag silang matatakot at ang senador naman hindi niya dapat isipin na insulto ito kung hindi part of the investigation lang,” Cayetano pointed out.

It was in line with his call for lawmakers to submit themselves to investigations on the PDAF scam that Cayetano slammed the decision of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee not to allow

the questioning of senators tagged in the scandal in its hearings which will begin on Thursday.

The Majority Leader stressed that the first step the Senate should take in order to protect its integrity as an institution representing the people is for all Senators to allow themselves to be questioned and investigated during the Blue Ribbon hearings most especially those whose names have been linked to the Napoles scam.

Asked about senators’ parliamentary immunity, Cayetano said : “Under the rules, we have the option to appear or not to appear

before the investigating panel (and be questioned). But under the same rules, we also have the option to waive this rule.”

The Senator said that moves to shield members of the Senate from the hearing will be unfair to the Filipino people clamoring for a thorough and transparent investigation.

Cayetano has already opened his books to the public and allowed state auditors to scrutinize his use of the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) in the past years especially those not covered by the recently released Commission on

Ex-PNP chief Razon surrenders

Aquino to Gen. Balutan: Stay neutral F P

RES. Benigno Aquino III has reminded Army Brig. Gen. Alexander Balutan to remain neutral and refrain from issuing statements that could create “negative consequences.”

Aquino said he had seen Balutan’s post on Facebook where he expressed his discontent on the P10 billion ‘pork bar-

rel’ fund scam.

Balutan said the money could have been spent in social services.

Lack of social services, he said, was one of the causes of poverty in Mindanao where a lot of soldiers have died fighting rebellion.

“Agree ako dun... kasama niya akong nadidismaya at kasama niya

ako na naghahanap ng katarungan at hustisya dito. Pero ‘di ka maaaring magsalita ng ganoon dahil maaaring maraming gumamit sa mga sinabi mo para mag-create ng negative consequences sa lipunan. Sana mapaalala kay General Balutan ‘yun,” Aquino said.

Being a current serving military officer, Balu-

tan should stay neutral, Aquino said.

“Wala naman ako nakikitang mali sa sinabi ni General Balutan. Pero meron tayong patakaran na dapat ang ating militar at kapulisan ay kailangan all the time neutral para ‘di tayo magkaroon ng sitwasyon na pwede magkagulo,” he said.

[PNA]

T

Mison said the information was relayed to him by a “confidential source” last week after the issuance of the warrant of arrest against the Napoles siblings.

“I was informed that Mrs. Napoles has 3 yachts, parked at the Manila Yacht

Club but according to the source wala na mga yacht niya dun,” he said.

However, the BI official did not identify the names of the luxury sea vessel and he is not certain if Napoles owned the missing yachts.

“We confirmed sabi ng source meron daw 3 dun

dati ginagamit niya, hindi lang ako sure kung sa pangalan niya or ginamit niya, na wala na dun sa yacht club,” he added.

Despite this, Mison is confident that Napoles and her brother, Reynald Luy Lim, are still in the country.

[PNA]

Yachts allegedly owned by Janet Napoles missing HE Bureau of Immigration (BI) revealed on Tuesday that the three yachts reportedly being used or owned by Janet Lim Napoles went missing from the Manila Yacht Club (MYC).

In a press briefing, BI Officer-in-Charge Siegfried

Audit (COA) report. He likewise urged his colleagues from both houses of Congress to do the same.

The Majority leader further suggested that Senators be willing to sign a waiver declaring that they will disclose to the public all their transactions involving public funds during the ongoing investigations.

“The best way to resolve the issue is for everyone to come clean. No excuses. No exemptions.

I am urging all lawmakers to open their financial records to the public in the spirit of transparency, accountability, and reform,” he maintained.

ORMER Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Avelino Razon Jr surrendered at the Sandiganbayan Wednesday afternoon, August 28, after the graft court ordered his arrest earlier.

The surrender is conected to a case of alleged anomalous transactions during his time as PNP head.

Besides Razon, 32 others were ordered arrested for graft and malversation charges.

The warrants were based on a criminal case filed by the Office of the Ombudsman on July 11 over the anom-

alous repair and maintenance of several light armored vehicles (LAVs) in 2007.

Razon’s co-accused are former and incumbent PNP officials and several private individuals, including two former Philippine National Police comptrollers: Geary Barias and Eliseo de la Paz. They face multiple indictments: graft and malversation. Graft is a bailable case, but the Ombudsman recommended no bail for the malversation charges faced by the principal accused.

[Rappler.com]

5 COMMUNITY SENSE

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 119 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Davao City selected by global research group for library modernization project

By GREGORIO G. DELIGERO greg@edgedavao.net

T

HE Davao City local government has been selected by Beyond Access for library modernization project aimed to support district libraries and reading centers in rural communities become more responsive in providing information and services related to economic activity.

“On behalf of Beyond Access, IREX is extremely pleased to be cooperating with the city government of Davao on a library modernization project. Due to the clear commitment of and partnership offered by the city government, Davao was selected as the first city in Asia with which Beyond Access is cooperating on a project to support public library development,” said IREX Ari Katz deputy director for technology and civil society.

Beyond Access is a movement of people and organizations committed to the idea that modern public libraries help drive

economic and social development. With members around the world, the movement is an initiative of non-profit corporation IREX, international groups of librarians and several US-Based foundations.

The lone Beyond Access member in the city is former Davao City Public Library head Nora Fe H. Alajar.

“We hope that this project will be a model for the Philippines and the Asean region,” Katz said in a formal communication addressed to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Yesterday, Katz signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Davao City local government represented by Atty.

Tristan Dwight P. Domingo, assistant city administrator for administration who signed the document on behalf of Duterte.

Under the MoU, the IREX will provide technical assistance throughout the project’s development

MOU. Ari Katz, deputy director for technology and civil society of IREX, discusses the salient features of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) the group inked with the local government of Davao City. Also in photo are Pedrita M. Badar, officer-in-charge of the Davao City Public Library, Atty. Tristan

Dwight P. Domingo, assistant city administrator who represents Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte and Dr. Angelo Ramos, director of Molave Development Foundation, an active partner of IREX in the Philippines.

and implementation “to ensure the project serves as a pilot to demonstrate the value of public librar-

puters to be distributed to district libraries and participating reading centers while the city government

ies in meeting their communities’ needs.”

Specifically, IREX will provide around 100 com-

will provide personnel, facilities, computer maintenance and internet and utility costs.

6 THE ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

Stat Watch

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

7.1 1st Qtr 2013

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

7.8 1st Qtr 2013

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

USD 3,741 million Feb 2013 USD 4,708 million Feb 2013 USD -967 million Feb 2013 USD -640 million Dec 2012 P 4,964,560 million Feb 2013

8. Interest Rates 4/

2.4 % Mar 2013 P113,609 million Mar 2013 P 5,281 billion Mar 2013

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

P 41.14 Apr 2013

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

6,847.5 Mar 2013

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

132.8 Apr 2013

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

2.6 Apr 2013

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.1 Apr 2013

16. Visitor Arrivals

418,108 Feb 2013

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

20.9% Jan 2013

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

7.1% Jan 2013

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2012-April 2013) Month Average December November October September August July June May April March February January

2013

2012

2011

40.67 40.73

42.23 41.01 41.12 41.45 41.75 42.04 41.91 42.78 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

VOL. 6 ISSUE 119 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

More initiatives to bring more investment opportunities across ASEAN countries A SEAN member countries, which include the Philippines, expect to roll out more key initiatives until next year -- meant to bring more opportunities to investors across the region.

“Investors should be familiar with trading ASEAN stocks just as they are trading stocks in their home market,” said Philippine Stock Exchange President and Chief Executive Officer Hans B. Sicat in a recent ASEAN Exchanges CEOs meeting.

Sicat said the initiatives aim to further promote ASEAN as an asset class as well as profile the ‘exciting’ companies listed on the seven exchanges.

The ASEAN Exchanges is a collaboration of the exchanges from Malaysia, Vietnam (two exchanges), Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Singapore to promote the growth of the region’s capital market by driving cross-border collaboration, streamlining access to ASEAN, creating ASEAN centric products and implementing targeted promotional initiatives.

Such Exchanges have a combined market capitalization of approximately $ 2 trillion and more than listed 3,600 compa-

nies.

Some of these are the largest and most dynamic firms in the world, including leaders in finance and banking, energy, telecommunications, commodities, automotive manufacturing and other industrial sectors.

Since 2011, the seven Exchanges have rolled out important marketing initiatives including the enhanced ASEAN website, the marketing of the ASEAN Stars and the Invest ASEAN retail roadshow.

As a point of reference and resource on ASEAN investments, investors can also refer to the ASEAN Exchanges website which is built around the ASEAN Stars.

ASEAN Stars are the 180 ASEAN blue-chip stocks, which represent the 30 most exciting companies of each ASEAN country as ranked by investability in terms of market capitalization and liquidity.

On the other hand, the ASEAN Exchanges website features aggregated ASEAN content, allowing investors to view the performance of the seven ASEAN exchanges individually as well as providing a single, integrated view of the ASEAN

market.

A FTSE/ASEAN Indices Weekly Report is also available on the ASEAN Exchanges website. “(These initiatives) have

produced a strong momentum and awareness amongst investors as well as regulators and capital market players in the region,” Sicat further said.

[PNA]

HE Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) expects to exceed the P60 billion sin tax collection target for 2013.

“We may exceed a little than the P60 billion target,” Internal Revenue Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares told Senators

during the hearing of the proposed 2014 national budget Tuesday.

Lawmakers approved in December last year the amendment of the Sin Tax Law, which increased excise tax collection on sin products effective January 1,

2013.

The government targets to collect an additional P34 billion from sin products this year due to the amendment.

Of the total P33.9 billion expected incremental sin tax revenues this year, Henares said P11

billion would come from alcohol products while the bigger share of P22.9 billion would come from tobacco products.

At the end of the first half this year, BIR data show that excise tax collection from sin products grew by 46.06 percent or P12.15 billion to P38.54 billion. Year-ago collection totalled to P26.39 billion.

Of the total, excise tax revenues from tobacco products totalled to P22.38 billion, up 53.14 percent from year-ago’s P 14.61 billion.

Excise tax collection from alcohol products during the same period reached P16.16 billion, up by 37.27 percent or P4.39 billion over the P 11.77 billion same period last year.

Henares said the increase in the excise tax from tobacco products transpired even as tobacco companies reported lower sales, which earlier reports attributed to frontloading at the latter part of 2012 to pay lesser taxes.

Asked by Sen. Serge Osmena III on how much the increase on the tobacco excise tax had the companies did not frontload, Henares said last year’s first half revenues could be “more than double.” [PNA]

BY THE NUMBERS Budget allotted for the Department of Public Works and Hig hways (DPWH) in 201 4 increased by

21 percent

as compared to this year’s allocatio ns.

SOURCE: DBM

BIR sees higher than P60-B sin tax revenues for 2013 T

REPACKING AREA. A transient vendor makes the sidewalk his makeshift repacking area for the calamansi he hawks around Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr. as of May 2013

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 Cebu Pacific Thu

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

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 Manila-Davao-Manila

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

Cebu Pacific Tue/Wed//Sat 5J965 / 5J968 13:35 Silk Air Mon/Sat MI588 / MI588 13:35 Silk Air Wed/Sun MI566 / MI566 15:20 Silk Air Thurs MI551 / MI551 12:05 Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri 5J507 / 5J598 15:00 Philippine Airlines August 15:55 Mani2Mani 16:50 Zest Air Daily Z2524 / Z2525 16:05

Manila-Davao-Manila Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Davao-Singapore Cebu-Davao-Cebu

14:05 18:55 18:55 15:45 15:30

Cebu-Davao-Cebu

16:45

SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT 7

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 119 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Paje: More needs to be done to protect Coral Triangle

E

NVIRONMENT Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje has underscored the need for more action to save the reefs in the region known as the Coral Triangle amid growing threats to their ecosystems – from overfishing and pollution to impacts of climate change.

Paje said that while the Philippines had already taken important steps to protect its own reefs and the marine life they host, more needs to be done in developing sustainable solutions for the threatened reefs in

the Coral Triangle, a global hotspot of marine biodiversity.

“We face a crisis on the continued degradation of our fragile ecosystems and resources that could endanger the survival and quality of life of future generations,” Paje said.

“Investing in coastal and marine protection can certainly help ensure a better future for our children and a better environment for all,” he added.

Last week, the CTI-Philippines National Coordinating Committee,

Unilever, Smart, Cebuana Lhuillier launch ‘sachet recovery program’

U

NILEVER Philippines, collaborate Tuesday with two leading trade names in the country in a project that will encourage every Filipino to participate in taking care of the environment.

The project dubbed as “Sachet Recovery Program” is formulated via partnership with Smart Communications and Cebuana Lhuillier.

“In line with the celebration of the 25th year anniversary of Surf detergent products, Unilever, together with these two big brands in the industry had formulated a project that aims to create an impact in the environment while at the same time beneficial also to the recipients of the output of the project,” said Unilever Philippines chairman and CEO Peter Cowan.

According to Cowan, they conceptualized the project in the aim to achieve healthy surroundings for the Filipino community as part of the company’s commitment in educating and empowering them.

He cited that under the project, the consumers are encourage to collect sachets of “Surf ” and exchange them to points equivalent to “free text” courtesy of Smart Communications redeemable at any of the more than 1,800 Cebuana Lhuillier branches nationwide.

The collected sachets then will be shredded and processed as cement pavers and cement blocks that will be donated to about 30 public schools that will be used as school pathways. [PNA]

which is co-chaired by the DENR and the Department of Agriculture hosted the CTI Forum in Makati City, which also saw the launch of the Sustainable Coral Reef Ecosystem Management Program or SCREMP, designed by the Philippine government to more effectively protect and rehabilitate the coral reefs in the region.

According to Paje, the SCREMP would focus on habitat conservation and protection, as well as enhancing public awareness and protection, to mitigate and reverse the dam-

age brought by unsustainable human activities and climate change.

The Philippines, being at the apex of the Coral Triangle, is a partner-nation of the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries and Food Security (CTI-CFF). The triangle also covers the exclusive economic zones of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste.

CTI-CFF is a multilateral cooperation among six member countries to safeguard the Coral Tri-

angle, which is home to more than one third of the world’s coral reefs, including over 600 different species of reef-building coral and 3,000 species of reef fish.

These coral ecosystems provide food and income for more than 100 million people working in marine-based industries throughout the region.

“At the apex of the Coral Triangle or the world’s center of marine biodiversity is the Philippines. We are one of the 18 megadiverse countries that contain 75 percent of the global biodiversity.

And yet, we too are one of the hottest of the marine biodiversity hotspots in the world,” Paje pointed out.

According to a study by the World Resources Institute called “Reefs at Risk,” about 85 percent of the reefs in the Coral Triangle are in peril. It noted that threats to the region come from overfishing, watershed pollution and coastal development.

Factors such as climate change and ocean acidification increase the number of threatened reefs to 90 percent, the study added.

Paje said that it is for these reasons why the Philippines has been very committed to the CTI-CFF and actively do its part in safeguarding the world’s richest marine area.

He noted that when the multilateral cooperation was launched in 2009, the Philippine government immediately came out with an executive order adopting the country’s CTI-CFF National Plan of Action (NPOA), which includes five goals, 10 targets and 60 priority actions.

The National CTI Coordinating Committee was also created to provide guidance in implementing the NPOA and to serve as the country focal point for the implementation of the CTI-CFF Regional Plan of Action.

The NPOA serves as the framework of the country’s efforts in the protection and conservation of its coastal and marine resources, coupled with the implementation of the National Integrated Coastal Management Program that interconnects the management of natural resources from the uplands down to the sea, and involves strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

With support from its partners, Paje said the Philippines has already achieved significant progress in the implementation of the NPOA. “Some of our initiatives, particularly in the field of marine protected area management, are for replication in other countries,” he said.

contains a significant amount of hydroxyl -- a molecule consisting of one oxygen atom and one hydrogen atom -which is evidence that the rocks in this crater contain water that originated beneath the lunar surface,” Klima said.

The detection of internal water from orbit means scientists can begin to test some of the findings from sample studies in a broader context, including in regions that are far from where the Apollo sites are clustered on the near side of the moon, said the researchers. For many years, scientists believed that the rocks from the moon were bone-dry and any wa-

ter detected in the Apollo samples had to be contamination from Earth. [PNA/Xinhua] “Now that we have detected water that is likely from the interior of the moon, we can start to compare this water with other characteristics of the lunar surface,” said Klima. “This internal magmatic water also provides clues about the moon’s volcanic processes and internal composition, which helps us address questions about how the moon formed, and how magmatic processes changed as it cooled,” Klima added.

The findings are published in the journal Nature Geoscience.

[PNA/Xinhua]

Scientists detect magmatic water on moon’s surface

U

.S. researchers said Wednesday they have found magmatic water, or water that originates from deep within the moon’s interior, on the surface of the moon.

The findings are the first such remote detection of this type of lunar water via the U.S. Moon Mineralogy Mapper instrument. Earlier studies had shown the existence of magmatic water in lunar samples returned during the Apollo program.

Scientists used the Moon Mineralogy Mapper, which is on board the Indian Space Research Organization’s Chandrayaan-1 spacecraft, to image the lunar impact crater Bullialdus, located near

the lunar equator.

Scientists were interested in studying this area because the central peak of the crater is made up of a type of rock that forms deep within the lunar crust and mantle when magma is trapped underground.

“This rock, which normally resides deep beneath the surface, was excavated from the lunar depths by the impact that formed Bullialdus crater,” said lead author Rachel Klima, a planetary geologist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, in a statement.

“Compared to its surroundings, we found that the central portion of this crater

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

VOL. 6 ISSUE 119 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Fast fading

T

HE so-called scam that is the pork barrel fund has brought to fore the strength of a nation awakened to the issues that concern us all. It all began in the social media where the usual self-centered posts of netizens on Facebook became a vehicle for channeling disgust and resentment over various kinds of misuse and abuse of the budget at the disposal of our lawmakers purportedly for countryside development.

The deluge of reaction became a consolidated voice for an informed Filipinos belonging to the cyberspace population—which is not too many by protest standards, but has a multiplier effect that can effectively change how the world turns, and in a flick of a finger on the keyboard or on the touch screen.

After Monday’s mass action, everyone realized how powerful today’s means of communication and interaction is. If the power of the media was instrumental in the EDSA 1 and 2 mass actions, the power of social media is the showcase of the #Million People March. It’s like this. You do not count how many marched, but how many were awakened by the call and

EDGEDAVAO

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG Creative Solutions

Printed by Zion Accuprint Publishing Inc. Door 14 ALCREJ Building, Quirino Avenue, 8000, Davao City, Philippines Tel: (082) 301-6235 Telefax: (082) 221-3601 www.edgedavao.net editorial@edgedavao.net marketing@edgedavao.net

how it spread like wildfire in so short a notice.

Monday’s protest against the pork barrel fund scam spread worldwide and we saw Filipinos overseas doing their share of expressing disgust and contempt for the enemy, which is not necessarily the pork barrel fund alone but corruption in general. Pinoys in California, New York, United Kingdom, the Middle East and just about every corner of the world where there are Filipinos joined in the unique anti-corruption protest.

There were those who did not march but posted on Facebook and Twitter their reactions and statements on the subject of pork barrel and corruption. It has the same effect, we believe.

Having said that, let’s revisit the classic Pinoy attitude— the short memory and “ningas kugon” attitude. Can we sustain the voice that reverberated around the world last Sunday? After the mass action, where is the caged pig “Porky” now? Did they roast him or is he back fattened in his cage?

That’s a 10-billion-peso question, no pun intended.

Facebook is fast, and so is our fading memory.

ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate Editor

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. • JOSEPH LAWRENCE P. GARCIA Photography Contributing Photographer

EJ DOMINIC C. FERNANDEZ Reporter

Columnists: CARLOS MUNDA • MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • MARY ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NICASIO AGUSTIN • VIDA A. MIA VALVERDE • Economic ENRICO“ADDIE” “GICO” G. Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER ANGELO C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA Analysts: • BERNADETTE B. DAYANGIRANG M.QUISIDO PEREZ • Lifestyle Columnists: BAISR., FAUZIAH SINSUAT •AMBOLODTO • MEGHANN STA. INES BORBON • MARY• JONALLIER ANN “ADI” C. • LEANDRO B. DAVAL • NIKKIFATIMA GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY •ZEN NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ

GENERAL OFFICE SANTOS CITY CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OLIVIA D. VELASCO OLIVIA D. VELASCO RICHARDRICHARD C. EBONAC. EBONA SOLANI D. MARATAS SOLANI D. MARATAS MARKETING OFFICE | Marketing Manager General Manager General ManagerMarketingAdvertising Supervisor SpecialistFinance FinanceLEIZEL A. DELOSOLEIZEL A. DELOSO | MarketingFLORENCE ManagerS. VILLARIN

JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

AQUILES Z. ZONIO Correspondent

KRISTINE D. BORJA AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Marketing Specialist Circulation

Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts. Marketing Specialist Cagayan de Oro City c/o PZ Villarin Marketing Cagayan de Oro City Tel: (088) 852-4894

Tel: (088) 852-4894

Salvani St., Oringo Brgy. City Heights Tel: (083) 303-2215

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE

ANGELICA R. GARCIA | Marketing Manager Blk. 1, Lot 10, La Mar Townhomes, Apitong St., Marikina Heights, Marikina City Tel: (02) 942-1503

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 119 •THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Fecal matter

I

T is easy to love pork in its various mouthwatering forms-lechon, lechon kawali, barbecue, pinakupsan, adobo, etc. But it is indeed a good thing when we protest against another form of pork, take to the streets to try to exercise the fat, and exorcise a sinister societal demon. However, before we look at pork and its attendant fat with a socio-political lens, let us look at our own consumption of pork and how this redounds to how we make ourselves fat physically and otherwise.

I have a scholar acquaintance who suffered a stroke at such a young age.

We later found out that he would have pinakupsan( cubed small pieces of pork deep fried in oil) at every meal, an indulgence he and his family thought nothing of. A relative whose long-running ambition was to become mayor of his town dies of cardiac arrest from eating too much lechon at his own victory party. A wealthy friend whose blood tests show high cholesterol profiles still unhesitatingly orders and eats sisig. These are few very telling instances wherein supposedly intelligent and driven individuals throw caution to the winds and succumb to the tastiness of pork. Intellectual pursuits become meaningless when

I

VANTAGE POINTS

the body becomes useless because of clogged arteries.

A dream fulfilled comes to naught because a pork-battered body cannot sustain life. Material wealth cannot be fully enjoyed because the body now imposes limitations caused by thoughtless consumption.

The appetitive instincts rule us and we think we can just allow that without repercussion. Or we think that we are generally good and accomplished individuals and that is what matters anyway, not what we eat and consume. A cardiologist friend of mine has a huge tummy and I cannot help but think that his professional integrity is compromised because he eats too much even when he knows better not to. Besides, other than fat, a huge tummy also indicates that fecal matter has encrusted into the intestines. Not quite a pretty picture, to put it mildly. Somehow, the overcon-

sumption and the waste that enlarges the waist point not just to a damaged body but to a damaged person as well.

Think of the countless policemen with distended bellies. They hardly inspire trust. When they try to extract kotong from us, we are not surprised. However, good, God-fearing men and women may also have huge tummies. It may seem irreverent to notice such a fact in the face of faith and goodness. But then again, there is that tendency to not cater to the whole human person but only to certain aspects of the self that we deem important. And there lies a significant problem and disconnect of our humanity, and consequently, of our society.

The overpowering lust to consume and consume and consume is killing us as individuals and as a society. To satisfy our appetites, we sacrifice health and quality of life. Fecal matter encrusted in our tummies from overconsumption of pork and other meats is also fecal matter encrusted in our minds and hearts.

When a country is robbed of Php10B by unthinking , unfeeling, and overconsuming individuals, it is no longer just the diplomatic fecal matter that is encrusted in them but smelly shit that makes up their being.

Biazon to abolish the bureau and start from scratch. He was in some trouble for a perceived failure to restrict the wave of corruption in the bureau.

There is no easy answer to the commissioner’s proposal to abolish the BoC. The triggering event was the failure to check what industry players are allegedly involved in rampant oil smuggling. And, he was unhappy, the fact that President PNoy lambasted and singled out the BoC for being negligent and remiss on their job during the SONA. Perhaps Biazon came to realize that there is absolutely no chance to cleanse the bureau and rid it of “rotten tomatoes,” he immediately tendered his resignation. But for obvious reason, the President declined to accept his resignation, and instead instructed him to fully execute a total revamp of all customs collectors and sub-collectors and institute immediate reforms in the system. It is a glaring indication that Biazon still enjoys the confidence of the appointing authority.

While at this, there’s no small irony in the BoC and Biazon being in charge of totally eliminating corruption in the bureau. He emphasized that when corruption is entrenched in a certain institution, “one concept done by other governments is a complete overhaul through abolition and we might have to do that.” Well, it’s easier said than done. That’s one way of looking at it, but some lawmakers do not share his proposal to abolish the

BoC and start all over again. They contested Biazon’s idea of abolition saying that corruption could be eradicated and there are ways.

It’s only the application of common sense and small details of government procedures.

After all, the culture of corruption is inherited from a colonial system where it’s even patriotic not pay taxes and to cheat on our colonial masters.

Five months after the Customs imbroglio, nothing could be heard about the much-publicized total revamp boasted by Biazon. This is not to say that he is doing nothing to rid the bureau of “mischievous characters” that are lurking in the dark corridors of the BoC. Just like the public demand calling to totally scrap the pork barrel funds, we do not know whether abolition process is in fact the appropriate solution. That is the core of the prevailing controversies and the President needs to determine it for himself. He spent time in Congress not know that behind the seethe of perception is the froth of habitual corruption in all government levels.

Sure, the bulk of government funds provide an avenue for corruption but it is not solely to be blamed. There’s a larger picture of people, public officials in particular, who in one way or another undermine their capability to think honestly and prudently about their actions that could affect their reputation and integrity. The irate and aghast people will make their voices heard again in open and vacant public spaces if no concrete plans could be reached in the days ahead. A collective will and action is needed to ignite interest among our people so that corruption in its worst forms will be exposed. All they want is a clean and honest government – nothing more.

Something in common

S ABOLITION THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION? – Much has been said and talked about the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) controversy and more disclosures of irregularities have been unearthed lately.

Not quite incidentally, the pork barrel fund scandal overshadowed other recent equally controversial issues – rampant corruption in the Bureau of Customs (BoC) and threats of terrorism. Luckily for Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, he could bide his time while everybody’s concern is mainly focused on the PDAF fund anomalies.

Pondering over the series of events surrounding the pork barrel fund scam, I’ve amassed a lot of thoughts already. It would seem this notion develop from cautiousness on the brewing critical issues. At the moment unabated corruption and other irregularities in the BoC is not eliciting much interest, mostly because they are not as pervasive as the PDAF fund scam, and besides the latter issue has switched into a political dimension.

All this is expected but the fact that corruption in the Customs bureau has something in common with the pork barrel fund anomalies, a no-nonsense probe and total revamp of ranking BoC officials still has to be strictly carried out to the letter.

During the ‘Million People March,’ people of diverse opinion, political inclination, religious belief and left-leaning movement denounce the misuse of PDAF funds by some thick-faced and enterprising members of Congress and called on the President Benigno Aquino III to totally abolish the scandal-prone pork barrel funds. Likewise some four months ago when news about widespread corruption in the BoC broke out, it turns out there was a startling proposal no less by Commissioner

9

West mustn’t rush into Syrian conflict COMMENTARY

BY HUGO DIXON

T

(1st of two parts)

HE drumbeats of a new Western military intervention in the Middle East are beating louder and louder. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday it was “undeniable” that chemical weapons had been used in an attack last week in Damascus. Meanwhile, the British foreign secretary said the UK and its allies could launch a military intervention without the approval of the United Nations. This is because a U.N. resolution authorising an attack on Syria would almost certainly be blocked

by Russia.

The desire to do something to punish Bashar al-Assad’s murderous regime is understandable, particularly after last week’s gas attack. But the West still mustn’t rush in. Before it takes any military action, it needs to present compelling evidence that Assad is the culprit.

Any intervention should also be a specific response to the gas attack rather than suck the West into this ghastly civil war.

Many people will argue that we already have the evidence we need to know that Assad is guilty. The weapons were used in a part of Damascus where his troops had been vainly trying to dislodge rebels. Assad has a big stash of chemical weapons and the means to deliver them. What’s more, he refused to give U.N. investigators immediate access to the site – seemingly the action of a man who wants to cover up a crime rather than that of an innocent who has been slandered.

This is all strong circumstantial evidence. But none of it amounts to proof.

That matters because we have seen dossiers sexed up before – notably the one used by Tony Blair to justify the invasion of Iraq. It also matters because, as with Iraq, any intervention in Syria will probably have to be undertaken without U.N. approval. It is not in the West’s interests to undermine the U.N.’s authority any further. Just look at its intervention in Libya in 2011, which went beyond what the U.N. authorised. Russia has used that as an excuse to block U.N. resolutions on Syria.

While the West should not deny itself the possibility of going outside the U.N. framework in exceptional circumstances, the circumstances do need to be truly exceptional. In this case, that at least means having hard evidence and presenting it to world opinion – so that all but the most bone-headed will agree that Russia is willfully denying the truth if it vetoes a U.N. resolution.

The U.N. inspectors, who briefly reached the site of the attack on Monday, may be able to provide some evidence – although much of it has probably now been obliterated. Kerry also says America has “additional information” which it will provide in the coming days. If this evidence is not compelling, the West should hold fire.

There will be those who say that the failure to take action will give Assad a green light for further chemical attacks.

But that’s not so. If he continues to gas his opponents, as well as innocent civilians, the evidence will eventually become compelling.

10 NEWS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 119 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Pulong..FFROM 1

Hatcher, at 5-foot10 and barrel-chested, walked into the prosecutor’s office remorseful and subdued, a stark difference from the hulking attacker he was described in the affidavit complaint of Vice Mayor Duterte. Hatcher said he is also planning to file illegal detention and abuse of power charges against the vice mayor, otherwise, he would like to have an amicable settlement.

In his affidavit, Duterte said the Australian trader, who was on a Honda Wagon, blocked his Nissan Navarra while crossing Tahimik Avenue in Bangkal on his way to work.

“I thought it was an ambush,” Duterte said, adding that when he went out of his car to talk to the Australian, the Australian went berserk.

The police officer escorting Duterte, SPO3 Roey Alquizar Ociones, tried to contain the situation, but the Australian suddenly revved up his engine and almost ran

over the vice mayor and the police officer.

Ociones said in his affidavit that “upon reaching the intersection of MacArthur Highway and Balusong Drive in Bangkal, I noticed that the first car where the vice mayor was riding turned left. However, it came to a sudden halt because a black Honda Wagon swerved to my car’s left side blocking my car as he wanted to force his way and go ahead of the convoy of the vice mayor.”

“As a police officer, I went out of the vehicle sensing that there was trouble and proceeded in front to block the black vehicle. I immediately declared my authority by introducing myself as a police officer and ordered him to turn off the engine and step down.

However, the driver did not turn off the engine, rolled down his window (driver’s side) and shouted, “Step aside! Or I will kill you! Step out!”

Ociones said that while he was in front of

the black car, he noticed the vice mayor disembarked from his vehicle and proceeded to the side of the black vehicle.

He said Duterte knocked on the window of the passenger side of the black vehicle, introduced himself as the vice mayor and instructed the driver to roll down his car window but to no avail.

Ociones said he can hear the driver of the black vehicle repeatedly saying, “I don’t care! Step aside! I will run you over!

I will kill you!” Ociones said he instinctively stepped backward and then heard Hatcher step on his engine, accelerated his gas and drove off.

“I hurriedly jumped to the side to avoid being hit and ran over,” said Ociones.

The vice mayor also said they jumped to the side to avoid being hit.

“Nangambak mi,” Duterte told Edge Davao.

Duterte and his escorts pursued the Australian, and when they were able to catch up, the Australian reportedly went

down and tried to beat up the vice mayor.

“The Australian was shouting ‘this is only the Philippines, I am an Australian,’ and I dont give a damn who he is, this is the Philippines, this is my country,” Duterte said.

Hatcher, however, had an entirely different story.

Hatcher said he did nothing wrong to the vice-mayor and defended himself that he did not stop the car for fear that he might be abducted.

“I did not stop because I thought they were abductors, “ Hatcher reiterated. He said he was abducted this year at Cagayan de Oro, and that his friend was killed during that incident.

Hatcher and his Filipina fiancé drove their vehicle supposedly headed for General Santos City for a business meeting but the motorcycle convoy of the vice mayor’s vehicle chased him and eventually caught up with him.

Hatcher said Duterte went to his vehicle, ut-

tered harsh words and pointed fingers in front of his face. The police escorts then came and sent him to jail.

According to Hatcher, he was not overspeeding because there were many public utility vehicles in the road. “If I did something wrong that might piss off to him, then sorry, “ he said.

“I’m not a bad guy, I do humanitarian services and in fact I donated clothes to flood victims in Typhoon Pablo,” Hatcher pleaded before local media.

The vice mayor reiterated that the case was not for selfish reasons, but for all the Dabawenyos being abused by foreigners.

“This is a message to all Dabawenyos, if you are being abused by a foreigner and you want to file charges, look for my lawyer, Alexis Lumbatan, for free services” Duterte said. “I am just practicing my rights, because had I punched him, I would be facing international human

rights charges.”

Hatcher meantime told members of the media, “I’ve never seen such abuse, he (Duterte) cannot control his temper and his evilness, it’s disgusting and it’s not good to the Philippines.”

Lumbatan, Duterte’s lawyer, said Hatcher has the right to answer all the allegations, and a time frame of 15 days to file his counter affidavit.

“I have talked to bystanders where the incident happened and found out that the Australian was abusive, especially in traffic issues,” Lumbatan said.

Hatcher reportedly owns Solar Resource trading company and is especially known for his recovery of large quantities of Chinese porcelain from the VOC ship Geldermalsen (known as the “Nanking cargo”) which was sold at auction

by Christie’s in Amsterdam in 1986. In 1999 he discovered the Tek Sing shipwreck and retrieved 360,000 pieces of porcelain.

Records obtained by Edge Davao showed that of the total amount, P52.88 million or 70.95 percent remained undisbursed as of March 31, 2013.

Of the remaining balance, only P4 million or 7.56 were disbursed for projects considered as completed. These consist of the P1.5 million used as source of funds in the Supplemental Budget 1 passed earlier this year and P2.5 million used in the rehabilitation of the Calinan Police Station which is now 85 percent complete in construction progress.

Nearly 70 percent or P36.22 million of the remaining balance is classified as “unimplemented” while P12.65 million or 23.92 percent are “still on-

going.”

The release of funds for unimplemented projects was made as early as September 6, 2003. This is the PDAF identified

by Sen. Franklin Drilon for the construction a multi-purpose building in barangay Carmen, Baguio district.

Other unimplemented projects include the P1.5 million identified in 2004 by former Sen. Aquilino Q. Pimentel for the enhancement program at the Regional Trail Court.

A special allotment release order (Saro) issued

by DBM last October 10, 2004 for projects identified by former Davao City Third District Rep. Ruy Lopez amounting to P4.85 million was untouched until P151,000 of the budget

was made as among the sources of funds in SB 1.

Other PDAF used in SB 1 are the projects amounting to P1.5 identified by Sen. Francis M. Pangilinan and released by DBM separately in 2008 and 2010.

Pangilinan topped among nine senators who identified Davao City as the implementing agency of some of their PDAF with P8.41 million followed by Sen. Teofisto Guingona with P2.7 million. Other senators who identified the city are senators Francis Escudero and Edgardo Angara and former senators Manny Villar and Mar Roxas with PDAF ranging from P500,000 to P2 million.

Most of their projects are still up for implementation.

Among the congressmen, Third District Rep. Isidro Ungab topped with P24 million coursed through the city’s coffers.

Second District Rep. Mylene Garcia-Albano has P1.9 million PDAF for the city government almost the same amount of her predecessor brother Vincent Garcia which identified P2 PDAF for the local government but left unimplemented since he vowed out from office in 2010.

Partylist representatives Mario Joyo Aguja (Akbayan), Joel Virador (Bayan Muna), Antonio Tinio (ACT Teacher), Homer Mercado (1-UTAK party list) and Luz Ilagan (Gabriela) also identified Davao City for their PDAF but except for Ilagan, whose projects whose im-

plementation is now ongoing, all their identified programs and projects are unimplemented.

There no PDAF coming from First District Rep. Karlo B. Nograles.

The process of releasing PDAF allocations starts with a senator or congressman making a request for the release of his or her allocation with a list of proposed project which should be included in the menu specified in the annual General Appropriations Act. After receiving the request, the DBM makes sure that the project list conforms to the menu in the budget law. The DBM will then release the funds to the implementing agency identified by the lawmaker, who is fur-

nished a copy of the release document or Saro.

Disbursements under the PDAF are coursed through implementing agencies classified as “soft” and “hard” projects: the former largely referring to non-infrastructure projects such as scholarships and financial assistance programs and the latter referring to infrastructure projects which would be coursed through the Department of Public Works and Highways or local engineering office.

Majority or 75.40 percent of PDAF projects coursed through the local government are considered as soft projects and the remaining 24.60 percent or P13 million are hard.

by government offices and public hospitals like the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC).

Hard projects can also be implemented by local government units usually by administration if the allocations are downloaded to LGUs. The office of the lady lawmaker showed a copy of the request of congressman Rodolfo Albano to House Speaker Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte for the release of his allocation for “hard” projects to Congresswoman Mylene.

The lady lawmaker said

she was the first to request for allocations for more “hard” projects, “because our district needs it.”

She said that the P9,450,000-allocation for his district went to 10 “hard projects,” seven of which were finished and issued certificates of completion, another two have been finished but have yet to be issued certificates of completion while the 10th project is undergoing corrective by a contractor.

She said her infra projects in her district are: 1. Concreting of road in Purok Putting Lupa

in barangay San Antonio, Agdao district worth P1,500,000; 2. Concreting of road in Purok 1 to 2 in barangay Mudiang, Bunawan district worth P1 million; 3. Concreting of Bariles Street in Barangay Lapu-lapu, Agao district worth P1 million; 4. Concreting of Solid Street, Barangay Lapulapu, Agdao district worth P500,000; 5. Completing of Agdao elementary school in Barangay Tomas Monteverde, Agdao district valued at P700,000;

6. Completion of barangay hall in barangay Agdao Proper, Agdao district valued at P244,000; 7. Completion of barangay gym in barangay Acacia, Buhangin district valued at P1 million; 8. Completion of multi-purpose pavement in barangay Agdao Proper, Agdao district valued at P220,000; 9. Construction of drainage system in barangay Paciano Bangoy, Agdao district worth P1,963,500; and 10. Water system in Puroks 3A and 3B, Baran-

gay Callawa, Buhangin district valued at P1,322,500.

Albano said that also in 2012, she “exchanged” her “hard” budget of P1,083,000 for the same amount of “soft” budget for the needs of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

Rep. Mylene also said that as a matter of policy, she does not deal with non-government organizations (NGO).

the allotment by Congresswoman Mylene because their mandate is only to release the approved amount after it has been endorsed

by Congress.

“Any fund endorsed na for release sa Congress ug sa Speaker kami ra ang magrelease in cash,”Bohol explained, adding that the right person to comment on the issue is the person who endorsed the development project.

She also explained that Garcia was justified to receive P96 million last year since she had P28,455, 168 continuing project.

people in social media like Facebook and Twitter, and found out that, out of 13,000 people online, 67% support President Aquino’s move to scrap the priority development assistance fund (PDAF) a.k.a. “pork barrel” but re-

placed with a new system that still allows the country’s impoverished sector to access help from the government.

Coloma said he believes that this is a great indication of the people’s approval rate of the Pres-

ident since the penetration rate of the internet in the Philippines is 50 percent.

This is a big number since there are 95 million mobile phones that can access the internet in the Philippines, he said.

(DHUD) as a major institutional reform given the limited powers of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and will move for Congress to finally pass DHUD. OSHDP also supports the passage of a genuine

national land use and policy act, not masquerading as an agrarian reform bill, that will put as a high priority low-cost and socialized housing sites, he said.

Tan also presented the engagements OSHDP has done for the regulations and institutions for the

Frozen.. FFROM 1

Mylene.. FFROM 2

Coloma.. FFROM 2

Meanwhile, Fe Jagna Bohol, acting director of DBM in Davao City, said they could not comment on

3 problems.. FFROM 2

housing finance sector.

One of the engagements is for the Pag-IBIG Fund to improve their buyers evaluation of capacity to pay without disqualifying or discouraging borrowers to invest in and buy their own homes.

EJF

11 ICT HUB

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 119 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Skype marks 10 years of shrinking the world I

F David Huang had left his native Taiwan for Sweden a generation ago, he would have taken a giant leap into the unknown.

Now, with the help of Skype, the 35-year-old businessman is able to reach relatives from his Stockholm home as easily as if they lived around the corner, and not half a world away.

“Skype has made work easier, but more important than that, it has enabled me to talk to my family whenever I feel like it,” he said.

Internet messaging service Skype, which celebrates its 10th anniversary on Thursday, has shrunk the world in profound ways that few could have foreseen in 2003.

A total of 300 million

users make two billion minutes of online video calls a day. And in the surest sign of success, the brand name has been turned into a verb - a rare distinction shared by the likes of Xerox and Google.

In another sign of success, Skype has spawned competitors with a host of similar technologies, most importantly Apple’s FaceTime.

But revolutionary as Skype’s technology may seem, it didn’t start completely from scratch but built on existing communication technologies.

“We already had cheap international calling using the Internet,” said Martin Geddes, a leading Britain-based telecommunications consultant.

“The significance of Skype was and is the

A woman communicates with her family abroad by using the Internet telephone system Skype, in Stockholm, Sweden, on August 26, 2013. Skype celebrates its 10th anniversary on Thursday.

‘Wow!’ experience of high definition voice, and the sense of ‘being there’ with your distant friends and family in a way not possible before.”

Skype was released in August 2003 -- written by a team of Estonian developers in Tallinn and, launched by two Scandinavian technology entrepreneurs, Niklas Zennstroem of Sweden and Janus Friis of Denmark, who expanded on existing peer-to-peer networking technologies.

Skype, which allows its online users to make high-quality calls to each other anywhere in the world for free, quickly took off, bringing the world closer together in an age when globalisation and intercontinental travel pulled more families apart than at perhaps any other time in history.

“I’m touched by the ways people use Skype, from an active duty soldier meeting his baby girl for the first time... to just the simple, extraordinarily ordinary instances,” said Elisa Steele, Skype chief marketing officer.

These simple instances, she said, include “a mum and daughter being able to see and talk to one another in a way that feels like they’re just sitting across the kitchen table from each other. Our greatest

achievement lies in these moments.”

While Skype helps people to stay in touch with those they already know, it also enables new connections to be formed.

One example was early this year, when students aged between 11 and 15 from Woodham Academy in Britain and Merton Intermediate School in Wisconsin carried out a cross-Atlantic dance contest.

“For a lot of them, I think they’d been in a small-town mentality where they hadn’t really gone out as far as they might have wanted to into travelling,” said Woodham assistant head teacher Jon Tait.

“They had seen films from abroad, but to actually physically speak to these kids in America was absolutely brilliant. It was amazing.”

Skype isn’t for humans only. At Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, Texas, orangutans Mei and Mukah are rewarded for completing tasks by being allowed to communicate via Skype with orangutans in other zoos.

The question many ask however is: Is it possible to make money on a business offering free calls? US software maker Microsoft thought so, paying $8.5 billion for Skype in 2011.

formation was affected by this incident.”

The trouble was resolved within two hours, according to Twitter.

The New York Times said that its website went down Tuesday due to a “malicious external attack.”

Times spokeswoman Eileen Murphy also made the announcement on Twitter, two weeks after the site went offline due to what the daily said was an

internal server problem.

Her full tweet said: “re: http://nytimes.com - initial assessment - issue is most likely result of malicious external attack. working to fix.”

The newspaper’s main Twitter account said shortly after 2000 GMT that the website “is experiencing technical difficulties” but that news was still being published via Twitter and other links.

[AFP]

Cyber attacks hit Twitter, New York Times

Facebook allows shared T online photo albums

F

ACEBOOK has began letting members collaborate on shared online photo albums at the leading social network.

The Shared Album feature was to be introduced slowly, first becoming available to a small group of English-language users before gradually spreading across the social network.

“A shared album is an album that multiple people can upload photos to,” Facebook said in an online post explaining the new feature.

“When you make an album shared, you can add your friends as contributors,” the post continued. “This allows them to add, view and edit photos in

the album.”

Previously, Facebook members could only add photos to their own online albums at the social network.

The new feature, inspired by feedback from Facebook users, is intended to let friends or family members collaborate on photo albums memorializing shared events or occasions.

Facebook members can invite as many as 50 friends to contribute digital photos to online albums.

Privacy settings allow sharing of albums to be limited to those who contribute or opened to friends of contributors or the public, according to Facebook.[AFP]

WITTER and The New York Times were hit with cyber attacks, with credit quickly claimed by a group backing embattled Syrian strongman Bashar Al-Assad.

The Times site remained out of service early Wednesday following the attacks that began Tuesday.

The Syrian Electronic Army (SEA), ironically, used Twitter to tout its efforts to take down the globally popular one-tomany messaging service and the Times news website.

“Media is going down,” a message at the SEA Twitter account proclaimed.

“Twitter, are you ready?”

The cyber attack was evidently aimed at the Domain Name System that that acts as a directory of sorts for routing online traffic to website addresses.

Hackers can hijack web traffic by altering DNS address information to send site visitors to websites of their choosing.

An Australian domain registration service appeared to have been hit in the attack.

“Our DNS provider experienced an issue in which it appears DNS records for various organizations were modified, including one of Twitter’s domains used for image serving, twimg.com,” Twitter said in a post at its status blog.

“Viewing of images and photos was sporadically impacted,” the San Francisco-based company’s message explained.

“No Twitter user in-

File photo of the NYTimes.com website. Twitter and The New York Times were hit with cyber attacks, with credit quickly claimed by a group backing embattled Syrian strongman Bashar Al-Assad

12 CLASSIFIEDS There’s a better way to get attention.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 119 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

EDGEDavao Gensan Partners

EDGEDAVAO

Health and Wellness

EDGEDavao Davao Partners Tel No. (083) 553-2211 / (083) 877-0019 / (083) 878-0308

Realty FOR SALE:

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

Best for kids ages 1 to 12 years old High in CGF, Taurine, L-Lysine Contains Fortified with DHA Available at all Drugstore near you

Multivitamins for Teens & young adults ages 13 to22 years old Available at all Drugstore near you

Take 2mg Ener-plus Capsule one hour before your intimate encounter • Improve Blood Circulation • Provide Extra Strength & Sexual Stamina • Increase Libido & Sexdrive

Available at all Drugstore near you

NOTICE OF LOSS Notice is hereby given by LOYOLA PLANS CONSOLIDATED INC. that CERTIFICATE OF FULL PAYMENT No.(s) 1004392 under LOYOLA PLAN Contract No.(s) UUU 130003403 issued to NARCISO RA GRAFILO JR. was lost. Any transaction entered into shall be null and void.

8/15,22,29

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 119 •THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

CLASSIFIEDS 13

EDGEDavao

Serving a seamless society

Sales Representatives (2)

Experienced Sales Agent, Advertisement Canvasser wanted for

COMPASS Advertising Magazine on freelance basis

Excellent daily Allowance plus exceptional Commission

Apply to: Jurgen 0920 661 7492 compassdavao@gmail.com

Wolfgang 0915 659 1700 compass-magazine@gmx.com

- Male / Female, not more than 30 years old - Candidate must posses a Bachelor/ College Degree in any Business field.

- Willing to work under pressure, flexible, persuasive, can speak fluently and computer literate - A team player - With Basic Salary, Transportation, Communication, allowance + Commission For interested applicants, you may send your resume to: HR Department EDGEDavao Doors 13 & 14 Alcrej B;dg., Quirino Ave., Davao City Tel. No. (082) 221-3601 Email: edgedavao@gmail.com

14 SPORTS

VOL. 6 ISSUE 119 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Columbia-RMC wins 2013 ACER Cup E

CLOSE RANGE GOAL. Eric Giganto of Columbia Football Club (yellow) scores from close range against the fallen goalie of the Philippine National Police in the 2013 ACER Cup Invitational Men’s Football tournament last Aug. 25

at Tionko grounds. Columbia won 4-1 to bag the title and P30,000 cash, a trophy and medals. (Photo by BOY LIM)

RIC Ben Giganto booked a rare finals hat trick and his game-long brilliance was all that Columbia Computer Center needed to repulse a fagged out Philippine National Police side, 4-1, and win the 2013 ACER Cup football tournament over the weekend at the Tionko Grounds.

Columbia Football Club bannered mostly of players from the Rizal Memorial Colleges, surged back to life after getting stymied to a 1-all halftime scoreline.

The Computer Specialists of team owner Edward “Chaya” Lam came back with a relentless attack in the final 45 minutes that saw Giganto closing out with three goals to repulse the already tired Policemen.

Giganto, who is now a varsity of the Far Eastern University in Manila and a reserve player of the Meralco Sparks in the

United Football League, first scored the goal for Columbia in the 38th minute with a high ball inside the box.

Three minutes later, veteran Hendrich Bitio, however, managed to tie the game after Columbia’s goalie Sandro Banderas was alone with no help defence after a free kick.

Giganto, younger brother of skipper Edwin, then received two excellent assists from teammate Al Dinn Tiboron for his two back-to-back markers in the 75th and 79th that gave Columbia a 3-1 lead.

And if that was not enough, Giganto, a first year sports and recreation management student, added one more goal in the 90th from another perfect pass by Tiboron from the left wing.

“We made some adjustments like putting Al Dinn as a decoy in order to win,” said coach Albert Ryan “Abing” Lim.

BATANG PINOY. (L-R) PSC commissioner Jolly Gomez, POC official Romeo Magat, PSC Chair Ricardo Garcia, Mrs. Milagros del Rosario, Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario and 1st District Congressman Anthony del Rosario acknowledge the delegations to the 2013 Batang Pinoy Mindanao leg at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Center. Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

2013 Batang Pinoy Mindanao biggest ever T

HE Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) said the 2013 Batang Pinoy Games Mindanao leg, which kicked off at the Davao Del Norte Sports Complex on Tuesday, is the biggest region al qualifying ever in terms of participation.

Over 1,700 young athletes coming from 40 local government units all over Mindanao attended the opening rites of the 5-day qualifying leg aimed at laying the foundation for young Filipino athletes aged 15 and below to become future national team heroes.

“We have exceeded our expectations and it’s going to be the biggest Mindanao leg since we started the program two years ago,” said Atty. Jay Alano, Project Director of Batang Pinoy.

She said the number could go beyond 2,000, as delegates continue to arrive even while the games have started.

Alano bared only 415

athletes competed in the 2011 Mindanao qualifier, while 635 vied in the 2012 edition in Dapitan City last year.

She recognized the effort of the host province for sending out special invitations to all the LGUs in the region to make it yet the best-attended Mindanao leg.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario assured the province has left no stones unturned to ensure security and other requisites for the success of its first hosting of the games.

He said the event will contribute a lot to the vision of the province to become the sports tourism capital in the region.

“We hope to be afforded with the same confidence to host much larger sporting events in the future,” he said.

The governor is alluding to the Palarong Pambansa, which the province hopes to eventually host in 2015, among other bigger events. By Noel Baguio

INdulge!

VOL. 6 ISSUE 119 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

Finding Davao’s new flavors at SM’s Gourmet Collective

DAVAO is all about food and Kadayawan is just one of the seasons when Dabawenyo urbanites go out in droves to party on the streets, eat and have an all-around good time.

I love the energy and vibes I get from the buzz and dancing on the streets but what I love more are the good eats and new food concepts that are making their way out through the many bazaars and food festivals that have sprung up just for the Kadayawan weekend and one of these is SM Lanang Premier’s Gourmet Food Collective that was held last from August 16 to 18 at the atrium points. Pair it with some of SM’s only premier mall wines from Lagarde and in Mindanao. every bite is heaven.

Hog’s Breath Cafe had From restaurants to steak samples for everyone foodies to nibble on while Morisco The Gourmet Food Col- had some of their menu lective gathered some of items ready for tasting as Davao City’s chefs, foodies, well. restaurants and caterers for Davao fabulous caterers a unique food trip that al- also joined in the celebralows guests to sample and tion with their special dishtaste some of Davao’s best es. Tita Baby Montemayor’s and most unique bites un- Villa Margarita showcased der one roof, highlighting their three-cheese lasagna, the city’s fast-evolving and while Carmina del Rosavibrant food scene. rio’s Bongkok Wok showIn the food fair were cased their much-missed everything from Cellar de Bagoong Rice and Catfish Boca’s famous Argentini- Salad. an-style beef and chorizo The Crazy Cook (also empanadas as well as their by Carmina) showcased famous steak rice. I love their delicious steamed the sweet and salty chorizo buns called Baos in mouthempanada with the super watering flavours such as savoury beef empanada Slow-cooked Angus Beef, also getting top foodie Shiitake, Chicken Sate

SM Lanang Premier’s Atrium was full of foodies from all over. and Bulgogi. My favourite would be her Slow-cooked Angus Beef Bao which literally melts in the mouth thanks to the fatty and delicious beef.

Crispy means nom nom Also at the fair was the beautiful Chef Monica Floirendo and her burritos and margaritas. There were two kinds, the chicken and the bagnet burrito and I would say that the bagnet (crispy-fried Ilocano-style pork belly) was the probably the burrito I have tasted in a long time. I guess it must be thanks to the Floirendo family’s secret bagnet recipe that made it such a delicious treat.

When talking about crispy, there is Beko’s Biik and their lechon. They also featured their special lechon roll which is basically fatty pork belly stuffed and fried to a crisp. It was just too bad they only sold the rolls as a whole and not as sliced up pieces, it would have been a run-away hit

Olive Puentespina and her fabulous cheeses.

Olive’s daughter showcases Malago’s 65% Dark Chocolate bars.

Various fresh soft cheeses.

FFINDING, A4 Barrio Burrito’s Monica Floirendo and her Bagnet Burrito.

Jonathan Ramirez and his tarts and pies.

Malagos’ La Maria cheese.

Baby Montemayor showcasing her Three-Cheese Morisco’s delicious-looking display.

Lasagna.

Malagos’ Blue Goat Cheese.

The Lechon Roll from Beko’s Biik.

EDGEDAVAO

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

GT Cosmetics products pass FDA quality tests SKIN CARE products of GTCosmetics Manufacturing Inc. are consistently manufactured to a quality appropriate for their intended uses, says the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Philippines.

The FDA, after completing the chemical analyses of the products, recently conducted a thorough inspection of the GT Cosmetics manufacturing plant in Liloan, Cebu and declared that GT Cosmetics is currently generating good quality products in compliance with the General Regulations for the Enforcement of the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Act. In its Certificate of Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) issued to GT Cosmetics, the FDA says the Cebuano company has also complied with the requirements specified for in the exportation of products to neighboring ASEAN countries.

The Department of Health, which oversees the functions of the FDA, has adopted the ASEAN CGMP Guidelines to assist the Philippine cosmetics industry in complying with the ASEAN Cosmetic Regulatory Directives and get its share of the ASEAN market.

GT Cosmetics founder and national sales manager Engr.

Leonora B. Salvane said complying with CGMP is mandatory in their line of business, but they never once had a problem in meeting the requirements and its relevant rules and regulations.

“Over the years, complying with the guidelines was never a problem,” said Salvane, who formulated and personally manufactured the first GT products at home in 1994. ”Compliance just comes naturally for us, as we have been observing good manufacturing practice right from the start.”

“I started this business unaware of the CGMP guidelines.

I just did what I thought was right and I was issued a license to operate. That’s why we named our company GT, which stands for `God’s Talent,’” said Salvane, a chemical engineer.

“Since our products are for skin protection, they must be manufactured properly and with all the right proportions of every ingredient. Why would you make a harmful product when your business is about skin care. That would be ironic,” Salvane added.

The FDA only issues licenses to cosmetic manufacturers upon compliance with CGMP, which provides assurance that products are manufactured using methods, facilities and control procedures adequate to preserve their quality and safety.

The prime objective of the CGMP guidelines is to safeguard the health of the consumers as well as to ensure the good quality of the products.

Even if it has passed all the testing protocols, a product may be deemed unsafe or of low quality if found to be manufactured in a condition that violates current good manufacturing guidelines.

All GT products are effective and environment-friendly.

They are made using herbal and natural ingredients. They also have highly-refined coconut oil base that leaves the skin moisturized and prevents it from scaling.

The GT Carrot Soap, GT Bleaching Soap, GT Papaya Soap, GT Moisturizing Soap, GT Bleaching and Whitening Creams, GT Clarifiance, and GT Carrot Lotion are available in about 200 retail outlets nationwide.

Products of GT Cosmetics are locally sold at your nearest Watsons Personal Care stores, Robinsons supermarkets, SM malls and supermarkets, Savemore supermarkets, Gaisano Metro chain of stores, and at other leading malls, departments stores, supermarkets, and drugstores nationwide.

ACCESSORY SALE AT THE SM STORE. SM Accessories, the fashion accessories authority goes on sale from August 1 to 31. Drop by the SM Store Davao, General Santos and Lanang Premier and get up to 50% off on selected items! Get a free bag with your SM Advantage, SM Prestige or SM BDO Rewards Card for every P1,000 minimum single receipt purchase.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 119 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

FOOD

Filipino tiramisu!

GROWING UP with people who love to party, cook and eat has its many advantages. Yes, I would dwell on the positivity that it brings forth to life; life is too short to sulk.

That is why, as a kid, I was already exposed to the many secrets of our kitchen confines. I would often stay, watch and much on anything (isn’t it obvious?) cooked either by my parents or of anybody who has a ladle on hand.

Of the many dishes that blew my senses away, the Tiramisu left a wholelotta-lovin in my heart.

The first time I tasted it, I was constantly bugging my mama to replicate it.

Ever the “let’s buy instead of cooking”, she told me to learn it on my own. And I did. Thanks, Mama!

Tiramisu (pick me up or lift me up) is a sweet, layered dessert that originated in Italy. It consists of alternating layers of coffee or brandy soaked ladyfingers with a layer of thick and rich mascarpone and egg sweet filling. It is an easy assembled dessert that could be done in minutes.

This week, I have two Tiramisu recipes, one from my culinary hero, Gordon Ramsay and the other, is mine. Try them out and have the most wonderful Tiramisu party with your loved one.

Egg and Mascarpone less Tiramisu I have heard of this but never actually tried it.

Now, here is my attempt at an eggless version of this all time favorite dessert of mine.

Ingredients: 1 pack lady fingers (bought mine from S&R) Coffee soaking syrup: 4 tbsp ground coffee (Thanks Sir Michael of Mang Gorio) 3 tbsp white sugar 1 cup warm water Filling: 1 bar cream cheese, soften 5 tbsp white sugar ¼ cup Bailey’s ½ cup all purpose cream, chilled 3 tbsp confectioner’s sugar Cocoa powder for dusting Method: In a baking dish, mix ground coffee and sugar and dissolve in warm wa-

the world.

ter. Make sure there are no lumps. Dip each ladyfingers and repeat until done.

Set aside. In another bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar and all purpose cream. Blend well. I used a hand whisk. Add Bailey’s and confectioner’s sugar and mix again until well incorporated. In a baking dish, drop a tablespoon of cream cheese mixture and spread. Line soaked ladyfinger. Spread cream cheese mixture to form a layer. Repeat layering.

Chill. Dust with cocoa powder before serving.

Tiramisu ala Gordon Ramsay Here is a world-class recipe from one of the most celebrated chefs in

Ingredients: 1 tsp Vanilla extract 3 tbsp Brandy 150 ml strong Espresso, cooled and room temp 150 ml Single cream 4 tbsp icing sugar 16 sponge cakes (lady fingers) 70% chocolate bar, frozen Cocoa powder Method: Whisk mascarpone with the vanilla and brandy and 50 ml of coffee until everything is incorporated. Whisk the cream with the icing sugar until smooth, then fold mascarpone mix. Pour the

remaining coffee into a bowl. Take one sponge finger at a time and dip it in to the coffee. Set aside and continue with the remaining. Line four serving glasses with 4 sponge fingers, breaking them in half. Spoon mascarpone mixture until you reach the top of the glass. Chill for 20 minutes. Allow the flavors to infuse. Remove tiramisu from fridge. Take chocolate bar and grate a little. Finally, dust with sifted cocoa powder to serve.

Thank you to my sister in sorority and for life, Mrs. Mhyla Ruth Sara-Lee of Joie de Vivre Traveling Tours for the sumptuous food (topuki!) and for accommodating my friend’s family from Iloilo. Love yah! See you soonest.

Visit www.chefroyale. com and be treated to an endless array of delicious word play and food display!

Follow me on instagram @ herroyalheiress for the latest in food and food finds in the metro. Email me at bffsa457@gmail.com if you want to be a part of Davao’s Thursday Habit.

VOL. 6 ISSUE 119 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

Version of award-winner ‘Ekstra’ in ‘Toda Max’ SEE a comedic version of the recently screened film and Vilma Santos-starrer “Ekstra” this Saturday (August 31), as Jon Santos steps in as Ate Bhe with Vhong Navarro to audition as movie extras when a taping is set to happen in Beverly Gils.

Jon Santos plays the part of Isabel’s (Angel Locsin) aunt, Ate Bhe, who pays a visit to Beverly Gils. Ate Bhe works as an extra for films and television soaps. Almost as if it were perfect timing, a soap opera is set to be taped in Beverly Gils at the time of Ate Bhe’s arrival, and so auditions are to be held for interested residents of Beverly Gils.

Ate Bhe becomes the prime choice for the soap opera’s important scenes.

Justin (Vhong Navarro) fares well, too, being chosen to

play the son of Ate Bhe. See how the cast of “Toda Max” puts a twist on the successful film “Ekstra” with its

own “Anak ng Ekstra”, which airs this Saturday (August 31) on ABS-CBN Channel 2 after “Maalaala Mo Kaya”.

Ogie and MJ bring the hottest and juciest showbiz news in ‘OMJ’ on DZMM ENTER TAINMENT scribes Ogie Diaz and MJ Felipe keep people in-theknow on showbiz happenings as they bring the hottest and juiciest gossips and news in their newest program, “OMJ,” on DZMM every Saturday at 9 PM. Aside from intriguing inside scoops and exclusive blind items, Ogie and MJ also conduct interviews with controversial celebrities to clarify some issues and satisfy the listeners’ curiosity.

Actor Gerald Anderson first took the hot seat of “OMJ,” wherein he shared that it took eight hours to shoot his bed scene with Dawn Jimenez in their movie “On the Job. “The movie will not come out great if I will not give my best in that certain scene,” Gerald shared.

Gerald also shared that he is willing to do a movie or teleserye with his girlfriend Maja Salvador if given a chance.

Ogie and MJ also update the fans on showbiz events such as mall shows, concert, premiere nights and many more.

Meanwhile, veteran anchor Norma Marco touches not just the ears, but also the hearts of the listeners and viewers as she brings nostalgic music via another new program, “Remember When” every Sunday, at 3 PM. People may have travel to the past and reminisce milestones in their lives as Norma plays classic music of 50s to 80s sang by iconic artists including Paul Anka, Frank

Sinatra, The Platters, Beatles, The Carpenters at mga OPM artists gaya nina Cinderalla, Rey Valera and Apo Hiking Society. She also gives trivia

about the songs she plays.

Don’t miss “OMJ” every Saturday, 9 PM and “Remember When” every Sunday, 3 PM on DZMM TeleRadyo

THE CONJURING 2D Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson R 13

“GOT TO BELIEVE” WINS NATIONAL TV RATINGS; TRENDS WORLDWIDE ON TWITTER. Philippine showbiz’s ‘teen king and queen’ Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo have once again proven the ‘KathNiel magic’ as their highly anticipated primetime series on ABS-CBN, “Got To Believe” debuted strongly last Monday (August 26). According to data from Kantar Media, the premiere telecast of “Got To Believe” hit a national TV rating of 34%, or more than twice the viewers who watched its rival show in GMA “Mundo Mo’y Akin” that only scored 16.1%. Various hashtags related to “Got To Believe” also trended worldwide on the microblogging site Twitter as netizens shared their joy about the show’s debut and their excitement over the introduction to the story of Chichay (Kathryn) and Joaquin (Daniel). The pilot episode featured the love triangle of sweethearts Jaime (Ian Veneracion) and Betchay (Manilyn Reynes), and Jaime’s boss Julianna (Carmina Villarroel).

Continue to witness the magical journey of love in 2013’s most romantic TV series, “Got To Believe,” weeknights, after “Juan dela Cruz” on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida.

12:40 | 3:00 | 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

OTJ 2D Piolo Pascual, Gerald Anderson R 16

12:40 | 3:00 | 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

MORTAL INSTRUMENTS CITY OF BONES 2D Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower PG 13

12:00 | 2:30 | 5:00 | 7:30 | 10:00 LFS

R-16 PEE MAK 2D Mario Maurer PG 13

12:40 | 3:00 | 5:20 | 7:40 | 10:00 LFS

A4 INdulge!

EDGEDAVAO

FOOD

EDGEDavao Davao Partners

VOL. 6 ISSUE 119 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

Finding.. FFROM A1

Members of the Gourmet Food Collective strike a pose together with DOT XI Director Art Boncato.

Lagade wines from Argentina. since everyone (even politicos) loves pork right?

Beyond durian When one talks about Davao, certain foods come into mind like the pungent yet creamy durian and the tart sweet mangosteen, but lately Davao has been making waves in Manila’s culinary books as well thanks to one lady, Olive Puentespina and her many artisan cheeses.

Occupying one corner of the fair, Olive’s booth, in my opinion, has got to be THE best booth of the fair as she featured her many different cheeses, from the pungent Blush, to my favourite La Maria, to her deliciously complex Blue Goat Cheese, all generously laid out for anyone and everyone to sample, taste and enjoy. She also has a tub of Malagos’ famous 65% dark chocolate for everyone to have a bit of heaven grown from Davao’s soil.

A Sweet ending Of course when it comes to eating, what would it be without dessert?

Enter JR Pastry by Jonathan Ramirez who is also known for his cupcake cre-

Angus Beef Bao.

Cellar de Boca’s empanada. ations who offered cream puffs, tarts and pies. There was also Blugre and their well known desserts like their Red Velvet Cake and their Choco Torte.

The most interesting desserts of the fair though would have to be the ones by Joel Rodriquez of Osvaldo’s.

Already known for his decadent Blue Cheese Walnut and Fig Cheesecake, Joel also served a curiously delicious Spicy Dilis Cream Cheese Cupcake which had a sweet and briny flavour without the fishiness associated with the dilis fish. Knowing that I love food with lots of acidity, I had to say that my favourite cake of the fair would be the Candied Orange Peel Pecan Cupcake which had lots of bright acidity thanks to the use of orange peel plus the delicious nutty richness of the pecan.

Overall, the fair was a delicious success and it showed as lines formed with lots of hungry urbanites wanting to have a taste.

As for me, I can’t wait for the next one.

Follow me on Twitter and on Instagram for more foodie finds, travel tips and happenings in, around, and beyond Durianburg.

Various Baos

Spicy Dilis and Cream Cheese Osvaldo’s Orange Pecan Cupcake. Cupcake.

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 6 ISSUE 119 •THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

DOUBLE BAGEL Azarenka makes triumphant return to US Open N

EW YORK (Reuters) - Twelve months after her agonizing defeat in the U.S. Open final, Victoria Azarenka made a triumphant return to Flushing Meadows on Tuesday.

In her first match back on the Arthur Ashe Stadium since her gut-wrenching loss to Serena Williams, Azarenka chalked up a rare double-bagel win, thrashing Germany’s Dinah Pfizenmaier 6-0 6-0 in just over an hour.

“I’m really happy to be back on this court, the last time I was here it was very emotional,” she said.

“To come back and compete at one of the most famous arenas in the world, it’s great ... I love New York.”

The world number two arrived in the Big Apple brimming with confidence after beating Williams in the final of the Cincinnati Open and was untroubled against Pfizenmaier, ranked 99th.

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus returns a volley to Dinah Pfizenmaier of Germany during their first rou …

She hit 14 winners and made just 10 unforced errors but had to fend off three break points on her own serve.

“It was a lot closer than the score,” Azarenka said. “I thought I played really well in the important moments and raised my game when I needed to.”

Azarenka was just two points away from beating Williams in last year’s championship match when the American drew on her all her experience to win a three-set thriller.

It was a painful loss for the fiercely competitive Belarusian but she showed she was quick learner, overcoming her disappointment and rebounding to win her second Australian Open title in January.

OVERPOWERING. Viktoria Azarenka was just too much in a rare double-bagel win, dominating Germany’s Dinah Pfizenmaier 6-0 6-0 in the second round of the US Open. (Below) Roger Federer also breezed through the next round while teener Victoria Duval (right) leaps for joy after an upset over former winner Sam Stosur.

Djokovic, Federer advance N

EW YORK (Reuters) - A teenage American girl with a squeaky voice and an incredible tale of survival stole the spotlight at the U.S. Open on Tuesday with a stunning upset win over the former champion, Sam Stosur.

While Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic and the rest of the sport’s old order calmly went about their business, 17-year-old Victoria Duval became the toast of New York.

Making her second ap-

pearance in a grand slam event against the Australian who beat Serena Williams in the final just two years ago, the pint-sized Duval clawed and fought her way to a 5-7 6-4 6-4 first-round win.

It was a remarkable performance but made all the more astonishing because of her background.

When she was seven years old, Duval was taken hostage by robbers at her aunt’s house in Haiti, a terrifying incident that convinced her parents, both

doctors, to move back to the United States.

View gallery.”Federer of Switzerland reacts after his win over Zemlja …

Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts after his win over Grega Zemlja of Slovenia at the U.S. Open ten …

“It’s not a good memory, so I try to forget as much as I could about it. I don’t remember too much of it anymore, which is great,” she told reporters.

In 2010, her father was buried alive in the Haiti earthquake. He survived

by digging himself out but suffered serious injuries, including broken legs, broken ribs and a punctured lung.

Duval took to tennis instantly and has quickly risen through the American junior ranks but Tuesday’s win was by far her biggest.

With her family watching from courtside and chants of “U-S-A!” echoing around the Louis Armstrong Stadium, Duval had

to battle all the way to beat the vastly more-experienced Stosur.

“I think I’m very much of a child at heart ... (but) on the court, you have to be a warrior because that’s just the sport we are in,” she said.

Stosur paid tribute to Duval, saying she deserved the win, but said she had contributed to her own downfall with a whopping 56 unforced errors.

View gallery.”Federer of Switzerland reacts after his win over Zemlja …

Roger Federer of Switzerland reacts after his win over Grega Zemlja of Slovenia at the U.S. Open ten …

“I’m not going to be a sore loser and say she didn’t do anything,” said Stosur. “But, you know, I think I certainly helped her out there today, that’s for sure.”

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 6 ISSUE 119 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2013

DC athletes win 2 golds

BATANG PINOY MINDANAO DAVAO DEL NORTE

D

AVAO City flexed its muscles early winning two gold medals after the morning session yesterday as the 2013 Batang Pinoy Mindanao Qualifying Leg went full throttle at various venue

all over nearby Tagum City in Davao del Norte.

The Davao City contingent drew first blood in the five-day competitions to select the region’s qualifier to this year’s Batang Pinoy National Finals set

November in Zamboanga City wining the first gold medal at stake in the boys’ 5,000-meter run at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Center.

Long-distance runner Jomar Angga bagged the

first gold with a strong finish in the boys’ 5000-meter run clocking 19 minutes and 35.6 seconds after cutting loose from his pursuers in the final 800 meters. Edrian Bentulan of Davao City placed second

FRIENDSHIP FLAME. PSC Chair Ricardo Garcia holds the Games’ torch before passing it over to Gov. Rodolfo del Rosario, right, who then gave it to the torch bearers before the lighting of the cauldron of the 2013 Batang Pinoy Mindanao leg at the Davao del Norte Sports and Tourism Center. Noel Baguio/DavNor PIO

(19:54.0) and John Rey Ulanday of Koronadal City wound up third (20:04.7). ``Sobrang init. Nakakita ako ng pagkakataon na manalo nung bigla silang bumagal,’’ said the 13year old Angga, son of a banana plantation worker and a second-year pupil at Davao City National High School.

The second gold for Davao City came from Fernando Jison Jr. who made good use of his length and athleticism to rule the boys’ high jump.

At 5-foot-11, the 15-year-old Dona Carmen Dena National High School junior cleared the bar at 1.70 meters. Louie Restauro of GenSan settled for the silver (1.50m) and Davao City’s Joel Torralba Jr. the bronze after clearing 1.30 meters.

Christine Joy Jorban of General Santos City shared the limelight with Angga after becoming the first female athlete to capture a gold medal following a triumphant performance in girls’ long jump.

The third-year student from General Santos National High School registered 4.76 meters on her fifth jump to defeat schoolmate Jessica Jane Cora (4.39) and South Cotabato’s Pauline Paquierda (4.31) in the week-long meet organized by the Philippine Sports Commission.