Edge Davao 7 Issue 152 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

VOL. 7 ISSUE 152 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

UPHILL RUN. Philippine National Police (PNP) female applicants endure the uphill run which is part of their training at Camp Quintin M. Mercido in Buhangin, Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

TRIKES CAN’T BE BLAMED

INSIDE Lack of public transport keep trikes on risky highways EDGE

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

abf@edgedavao.net

ack of public transport in major routes in Toril is the main reason tricycles are plying the National Highway. This came up after city councilor Bernard Al-ag blamed the lack of public transport for the spate of vehicular accidents involving hapless tricycles,

including the one that killed two people last Friday. Al-ag came up with a strong plea to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to open a new jeepney route franchise from crossing Baracatan to Toril Poblacion.

Al-ag also asked the Traffic Management Center (TMC) and PNP Highway Patrol Group to strictly implement the law prohibiting motorized tricycles from plying the national highways. Alag made his plea in a privilege during the regular session yesterday in the

aftermath of a collision between a tricycle and a bus in front of the Task Force Davao checkpoint in Sirawan, Toril last Friday that killed two people riding the tricycle. “This is not the first incident that happened involving tricycles specif-

FTRIKES, 10

NO NFA RICE SHORTAGE THE BIG NEWS page 2

GAME 3: HEART VS. DESIRE SPORTS page 15

2 THE BIG NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 152 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

COFFEE TOAST. Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, officials of the Philippine Coffee Board, Inc. (PCBI), and executives of various coffee grower organizations offer a toast to exhibitors and guests to mark the opening of the four-day Coffee Origins 2014, PCBI’s 12th Coffee Festival, at Abreeza Mall Monday night. Lean Daval Jr.

Council defers position on coal plant tax sharing with Sta. Cruz By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. abf@edgedavao.net

HE Davao City Council has not yet resolved its position on the local business tax (LBT) sharing with the municipality of Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur from the income of the A b o i t i z Po w e r - o w n e d Therma South Inc. (TSI) coal-fired power plant. The Council deferred the passage for second reading the “Letter Request of Benjamin Cariaso, Jr., President and Chief Operating Officer of TSI and Manuel M. Orig. First Vice President

for Mindanao Affairs, AboitizPower Corporation Requesting for the Passage of an Ordinance (1) Specifying the Sharing of Local Business Taxes of Industries and Entities Situated at TSI, and (2) Granting Local Legislative Authority for the City Mayor to Sign the Memorandum of Agreement, for Appropriate Action of the Body. “ During the discussion in yesterday’s regular session, some coun-

FCOUNCIL, 10

Hearing on wife’s case againts Danao post poned By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

HE first hearing of the case of Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Senior Superintendent Vicente Jr. filed against him by his estranged wife which had been scheduled for yesterday was reset to later this month because the latter was still out of the country. In an interview, Regional Internal Affairs Service 11 (RIAS 11)

Rebel couple surrenders

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

married couple who belonged to the New People’s Army (NPA) voluntarily surrendered to members of the 57th Infantry Battalion (57IB) of the Army’s 10th Infantry Division in Barangay Imamaling, Magpet, North Cotabato before noon last Monday. In a press statement, the military identified the rebel returnees as Marco Engay Via, 39,

and Gina Calimpitan Via, 34. The military said the two expressed gratitude to the soldiers of the 57IB who facilitated their return to the folds of the law at around 11:45 a.m. on October 13. The military said the two are now undergoing interview at headquarters 57IB. The military said around 300 NPA mem-

bers have surrendered since April 2013, bringing with them high powered firearms. Another 101 NPA members surrendered without firearms in Eastern Mindanao area. Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) commander Lieutenant General Aurelio B. Baladad commended the soldiers of 57th IB for facilitating the safe return of the couple.

Summary Hearing Officer lawyer Nestor C. Fernandez said Mrs. Danao’s counsel, lawyer Angela Librado-Trinidad, filed a motion for resetting stating that the complainant could not return to the country considering the distance and resources she needs. Trinidad asked that the hearing be reset to between October 27 and 30 of this year.

“Since it is their first time to file a motion, we granted it. We also consider the reasons stated by the private complainant,” Fernandez said. He added that Danao’s legal counsel Atty. Emmanuel Galicia was furnished a copy of the motion on October 10. Fernandez said the RIAS 11will issue a corresponding order to both

parties regarding the resetting of the hearing. He also assured Mrs. Danao that his office will give her considerations if she does not show up in upcoming hearings. “The office will not blindly bind into the technical rule because this is not a battle of technicalities. Technicalities will be put together but we should also consider

A report from the Philippine Daily Inquirer last October 12 said the nation’s milled rice stock fell for the four month in a row to 1.49 million tons in September. Record from Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed the supply may only be worth 44 days of consumption. Overall inventory as of September 1 was seven days less than the 1.72 million tons recorded in the beginning of July. The supply dwindled from the post-harvest

stock of 74 days’ worth of grains last May 1 as the domestic rice market went through the lean months, with the new crop awaiting harvest, the report says. In Davao City, Respecia said based on NFA’s inventory, there are still 600,000 bags of NFA rice imported from Vietnam and Thailand which arrived in the city last January, May, and June. Respecia said this is more than enough for the 9,200 bags daily require-

FHEARING, 10

No NFA rice shortage A

MIDST reports that milled rice supply of the Philippines is getting low, an official of National Food Authority (NFA) in Davao assured that Davao City and the region has enough until the year ends. “We have more than enough and our household stock can reach even next year, ”NFA acting assistant provincial manager Maria Elaine Respecia told Edge Davao in a phone interview.

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 152 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

NEWS

EDGEDAVAO SELFIE TIME. Presidential Adviser on National Competitiveness Guillermo M. Luz (left) takes a selfie with Philippine Coffee Board, Inc. chair Nicholas A. Matti during the opening of the four-day Coffee Origins 2014, the Philippine Coffee Board, Inc. ’s 12th Coffee Festival, at Abreeza Mall on Monday night. Lean Daval Jr.

Sarangani jail personnel sacked for escape of detainees

ENERAL SANTOS CITY — The provincial government of Sarangani has relieved several personnel of the provincial jail in Alabel town after it recorded over the weekend its second jailbreak in just a month. Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon said Tuesday they have placed three provincial jail guards under investigation following the mysterious escape last Saturday of a murder suspect from the facility. Inmate Emil Tagusi, who is facing murder charges in Malapatan town, reportedly bolted the provincial jail at around 12:30 p.m. last Saturday. The jail management

has not released the exact details of Tagusi’s escape pending an ongoing investigation. But it identified the personnel who were on duty during the incident as prison guards June Diagan, Juinor Maude and Jomarie Anog. The governor said they created a special committee that will lead the investigation into the Saturday jailbreak and that of September 12 that involved two inmates identified as Alejar Tambasa and Amel Pundoy. He said they initially sent a memorandum to the involved personnel to shed light on the two incidents. “They were ordered to answer in writing

ENERAL SANTOS CITY — Police have launched a deeper investigation into the killing on Monday of a former vice mayor of the coastal town of Maasim in Sarangani Province. Inspector Rodel Javison, Maasim police chief, said Tuesday they are looking at several angles as possibly behind the murder of long-time municipal councilor and ex-vice mayor Eulogio Benitez, who was gunned down at his farm in Sitio Ilaya, Barangay Colon at past 7 a.m. Monday. He said the 82 yearold victim was just visiting his farm when he was shot three times by a still unidentified assailant. Witnesses reported-

ly saw a lone gunman hastily leaving the scene aboard a motorcycle, he said. Jolita Albero, the victim’s live-in partner, said she was working inside a nearby farmhouse when she suddenly heard three gunshots. She immediately checked on Benitez and saw that he was already lying on the ground and had some gunshot wounds. The victim sustained gunshot wounds on the left side of his body, in the neck and left arm from a still undetermined firearm. “We don’t have any idea as to who would want to do this to him as

Ex-Customs exec Police probe killing of ex-Sarangani vice mayor denies wrongdoing G By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

ORMER Davao Port former district collector Ernesto R. Aradanas yesterday denied any wrongdoing and asked for an impartial investigation on the allegation that he allowed the entry of 26,000 liters of smuggled gasoline from Malaysia at the at the sub-port of General Santos City last September 2. Aradanas was relieved from his post by Bureau of Customs commissioner John Sevilla effective last October 13, Monday, because of the “lack of trust and confidence.” In an “official” but unsigned statement emailed

to Edge Davao by Davao Port public information officer Fatima Espino, Aradanas said he did not resign but instead “requested for an impartial investigation of the alleged oil smuggling, because I believe the Port of Davao did what is the most appropriate process and protocols in addressing the issue.” Aradanas, who was replaced by Cebu Port chief legal officer lawyer Dante Maranan, said he was saddened by the “arbitrary decision” of the Commissioner for his termination. Aradanas said Sevilla may have been fed inaccu-

Davao City following accessibility law for PWDs

rate information. “When objective consideration of facts and when due process are junked, arrogance and abuse of authority follow, then reforms are doomed,” Aradanas said. “I hope that truth and justice will prevail in the end,” he added. Aradanas, in his statement, also denied allegations that he allowed the illegal entry of 260,000 liters of smuggled gasoline from Malaysia at the sub-port of General Santos City last September 2 that caused a misunderstanding between him and Sevilla.

“When the said oil shipment arrived at General Santos City, it is considered a domestic cargo because it already entered at the SubPort of Jolo, Sulu which was cleared by the Customs authorities of the port upon compliance with the required Customs formalities including submission of pertinent documents like Load Port Survey Report issued by Bureau Veritas and payment of the duties, taxes and other charges due thereon,” he explained. Aradanas cited section 1202 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the

FEX-CUSTOMS, 10

FSARANGANI, 10

FPOLICE, 10

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

HE implementation of the accessibility law in Davao City is better than in other cities in the country, National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) acting executive director Carmen Zubiaga said. In an interview yesterday during a seminar titled How to Handle Persons with Disabilities at The Marco Polo, Davao, Zubiaga said the implementation of the accessibility law in Davao City is “doing fine” because of the strong political will of the city government. “The LGU (local government unit) here in Davao is really involved in persons

with disabilities (PWDs) in local governance. In terms of public facilities, it’s all OK,” she said. Zubiaga, however, pointed out that there are still some government agencies that do not comply with the law. “There are still some government agencies here that do not comply with the accessibility law, especially national offices. If we rate the implementation, it would be very low, below passing,” she said. Zubiaga said the reason for the lack of compliance of some of the agencies in the government is that they are not appointing real en-

FDAVAO, 10

DIFFERENTLY ABLED. National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) information, education, and communication division chief Rizalio R. Sanchez discusses the major mandates on the rights of persons with disabilities (PWD)

during yesterday’s Seminar on How to Handle Persons with Disabilities at The Marco Polo, Davao. Lean Daval Jr.

4 SUBURBIA EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 152 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

CITY OF MATI, PROVINCE OF DAVAO ORIENTAL

DavOr government lists dev’t programs for 2015

EMBERS of the Provincial Development Council (PDC) approved on Thursday, October 9, the province’s P202.3 million Annual Investment Plan for 2015. Governor Corazon N. Malanyaon, who chairs the PDC, said in order to sustain the remarkable achievements the province has so far achieved in the past years, the provincial government is giving more focus on priority investments in order to reach the neediest citizens while maximizing government funds. Funded under the 20 percent Local Government Development Fund (LGDF), the programs and projects under the AIP consistently support the five development agenda of the provincial government, namely: defeat poverty; safeguard environment; expand access to infrastructure, utilities and social services; sustain public order; and strengthen effective governance. During the PDC meeting, the council presented the laid out Annual Investment Plan divided in three sectors: social, eco-

nomic, and environmental development. Social Development While more communities in the province have gained access to improved drinking water sources and power over the past years, the province is shelling out more funds as it intends to reach a hundred percent mark in terms of access to portable water supply and increase in the number of energized households. In addition, as it takes seriously the responsibility for sanitation, the province also targets a hundred percent mark in the provision of sanitary toilets to families. Meanwhile, as the provincial government intensifies tourism development of the province, projects for cultural preservation and heritage development were also outlined. These are the upgrading of the tourism complex facilities which houses the Subangan Musuem and the construction and rehabilitation of others structures in Aliwagwag Eco-Park in Cateel, Pusan Point in Caraga, and Cape San Agustin in Governor Generoso,

PDC MEET. Davao Oriental Governor Corazon Malanyaon (center) presides over the Provincial Development Council (PDC) meeting on October 9. among others. In terms of health services, Malanyaon said in addition to the funds channeled by the Department of Health for the construction of the third

building of the Davao Oriental Medical Center’s, the provincial government is also providing P10 million counterpart funds for the improvement of Barangay Health

Facilities. “The operations of Davao Oriental Provincial Medical Center and the hospitals in Cateel, Manay, Governor Generoso, and Lupon shall also be

families residing in six puroks in the barangay will benefit from the peace-promoting sub-project. Fear factor Barangay Panansalan is situated in an upland area and is 38 kilometers from Poblacion Compostela. Some 992 of its total population used to live in fear due to the existence of armed groups, worsening tribal war, and political conflicts. Having undergone KC-NCDDP’s Participatory Situation Analysis (PSA), the community identified the need to construct a tribal center where they can settle their issues and concerns with other parties. The construction of the project started on March 3, 2014 and was completed in September 2014. (DSWD/Julie Ace Brandon F. Ramos/ccd)

HAT role does communication fulfill in a changing Philippines? This question is what communication and media professionals, teachers, and students will answer during the 1st Davao Communication Research in the Philippines (CoRePh) Conference on October 16 and 17, 2014 at the Sampaguita Hall, Brokenshire Resort-Hotel and Convention Center, Davao City. Mindanao Times Editor-in-Chief Amalia Bandiola-Cabusao will give her keynote address on “Reportage on Mindanao” on October 16, and Davao City Public Safety and Security Command Center Chief Gen. Francisco J. Villaroman will deliver his keynote address on “Disaster Response in Davao City” on October 17. Other conference resource speakers include Thomas Vincent Secuya of CARVE, who will talk on “Advertising in

BARANGAY PANANSALAN, COMPOSTELA, COMPOSTELA VALLEY

CoRePh conference in Davao tackles role of communication

DSWD opens Mandaya W Kadyawan center in Panansalan

HE Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) recently inaugurated and handed over the Mandaya Kadyawan Center (tribal hall) community sub-project

here constructed through its KC-NCDDP PAMANA (PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn). The event was attended by Compostela Mayor Lema M. Bolo, KC-NCDDP Community Develop-

ment Assistant Kareen Maris S. Manggubat, municipal councilors, and barangay officials. A total of 200 Mandaya tribe families and 100 Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program

NOW OPEN. The newly completed Mandaya Kadyawan Center in Barangay Panansalan, Compostela Valley.

provided with adequate funds intended for medicines and medical supplies, among others,” she said. Boosting local economy

Davao,” Glorypearl Dy of Switotwins, Incorporated on “Digital Storytelling and Peace-building,” and Leo Godfrey Jao of Project Noah, who will talk on “Communicating Hazards for a Disaster-Free Philippines.” Sixteen communication professionals and scholars will also present their researches in five parallel sessions during the conference. The parallel sessions include topics on PR and Science and Development Communication; Visual Communication and New Media; Language, Culture, and Communication; Health Communication; and Disaster and Environmental Communication. Presenting their researchers are professionals and scholars from Ateneo de Davao University, Batangas State University, University of Mindanao Tagum, UP Mindanao, UP Open University, University of Santo Tomas, and the #WomenSeriously Global Campaign.

5 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 152 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

MinDA, DOE launch web portal for renewable energy projects M

ANILA, PHILIPPINES – An online web portal designed to track and monitor renewable energy (RE) projects in Mindanao was launched at the Diamond Hotel here last Monday in line with the goal to achieve a balanced mix of fossil-fueled and RE sources across the island-region. The Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) through the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC) officially launched the OneStop Facilitation and Monitoring (OSFM) Web Portal, pushing forward the move to streamline application process for the region’s RE projects. Speaking before partner agencies and other guests from the power sector, MinDA chair Secretary Luwalhati Antonino emphasized the importance of ensuring that the entry of additional capacities to be introduced in the island region should put a specific focus on the accelerated deployment of RE sources. Committed capacities to be positioned starting

next year have provided excess net reserves for the island region since 2009, however, most of these projects are centered on fossil-fueled power sources – particularly coal-fired power plants. “While we welcome a regime of reliable power supply in Mindanao with the installation of baseload plants, it behooves upon us to also undertake deliberate and purposive efforts to accelerate the deployment of RE capacities,” Antonino said. Antonino further stressed that the development of RE sources in the island-region is imperative in the thrust of substantial investment and trade opportunities for Mindanao. “This is in line with the Mindanao Development Corridors, one of MinDA’s flagship programs which is concentrated on the expansion of logistical, infrastructural, and connectivity endeavors within the island-region,” she said. Antonino added that reliable, affordable, and sustainable power through RE projects is essential in the full realization of the said strategy.

WEB PORTAL. Mindanao Development Authority chair Luwalhati Antonino (middle) and Department of Energy Undersecretary Raul Aguilos (left) award a computer certificate to National Commission for Indigenous Peoples 11 regional director Lilibeth Malabanan during the launch of the One-Stop

Facilitation and Monitoring (OSFM) Web Portal held at the Diamond Hotel in Metro Manila on Monday. Partner government agencies will utilize the computers as monitoring tools for the web portal, designed to accelerate the processing and approval of renewable energy applications in Mindanao.

“It is important to stress that RE development plays a huge part in

complement MinDA’s Growth Corridors and help us achieve a balanced

aggressive and effective investment programming and promotions that will

and inclusive growth among our regions in Mindanao,” she said.

6 THE ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 152 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

Samal Island wants Global demand rising more seaweed farms for coconut products F

ULL SUPPORT by the local government units in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACOS) to seaweed farmers has been cited by seaweed industry cluster chair Domingo Ang, president of Marina Tuna Corporation. This support became visible six months after a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed recently between the industry cluster team led by Ang and Mayor Aniano Antalan of the Island Garden City of Samal. “It was a very long wait, but we finally got their full support. They even set aside funding to help seaweed farmers’ cooperatives for their operating capital to make sure they succeed,” Ang said. IGACOS local officials had been assigned by the Mayor to personally monitor the progress of the existing seaweed farms in coastal baran-

gays Tambo, Mamali and Camudmud and help open more seaweed farms in the entire island, as part of their duties to enforce the MOA, according to Ang. A big land-based seaweed nursery, still under construction, was shown recently by Ang to the visiting chairman of the Seaweed Association of the Philippines (SIAP) Maximo Ricohermoso who told him it was one of the best land-based nursery he had ever seen. Ang said the seaweed nursery can produce and supply around 7,000 kilos of high quality seaweed seedlings every month. “I want to make sure our Samal seaweed farmers have good quality seedlings to keep producing more seaweeds in Davao, These seedlings will be made available to farmers cooperatives,” Ang said. By AURELIO A. PENA

By AURELIO A. PENA

EMAND for various kinds of coconut by-products has been rising in the domestic and world markets these past few months. Rose Villaruel, coconut industry leader and regional technical officer of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), said it has been a hectic year for the industry as they conducted series of meetings and activities with various sectors of the coconut industry. Villaruel cited the growing market demand for coco sugar, coco cream, and coco chunks among consumers in the

HK foreign domestic helpers given HK$100 wage increase M

ANILA – It’s official. Foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong, including over 130,000 Filipinos, will receive a HK$100 (575.25) increase in their minimum wages and an additional HK$44 (253.11) in food allowance starting October 1. Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz announced this last Monday after she received a report on the increase from Hong Kong-based Labor Attaché Offi-

cer-in-charge Ma. Nene G. German. “The report says that the increase in minimum wage and food allowance will apply to all contracts signed on or after 1 October 2014,” said Baldoz. In her report, German said the Hong |Kong Labor Department announced the increase during a meeting it held with the consulate generals of India, Indonesia, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The increase brings the minimum allow-

ance wage (MAW) of foreign domestic workers in Hong Kong to HK$4,110 (23,642.77) and the food allowance to HK$964 (5,545.41). Under the Standard Employment Contract for hiring FDHs, employers are required to provide Foreign Domestic Workers with food free of charge. At present, majority of Hong Kong employers provide free food to Foreign Domestic Workers. Employers may, however, choose to pay a food allowance in lieu thereof. (PNA)

signed for its country’s Minister of Finance. The BSP explained that the third agreement “is an expansion of the current BSA” and doubled the amount that the Philippines can swap from $6 billion to $12 billion. Relatively, Japan can swap up to $500 million under the agreement. BSP said the latest BSA has a new feature, which is in a form of a crisis prevention scheme

eyed “to address potential liquidity needs” and can also help fend off a liquidity crunch in case of a financial crisis. “The authorities in Japan and the Philippines hope that the strengthened bilateral financial cooperation will contribute to the stability of the financial markets, and further develop growing economic and trade ties between the two countries,” it added. (PNA)

Philippines, Japan sign bilateral swap agreement M

ANILA -- The Philippines and Japan have signed their third bilateral swap arrangement (BSA) in a bid to further strengthen financial cooperation between the two countries. In a statement Tuesday, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the BSA was signed last October 6. BSP signed for the Philippines while the Bank of Japan (BOJ)

US and Australia, boosting the exports of these products from Mindanao. “Our suppliers and exporters here are getting more orders for these products, most especially coco sugar as consumers are becoming more health conscious,” Villaruel said. A prominent producer and exporter of coco sugar, Ben Lao of Bansalan, Davao del Sur, has been getting the largest share of coco sugar exports to Australia and the Northern America. Every two weeks, Lao’s company exports from 16 metric tons to 19 metric tons of coco sugar to these ex-

port markets, according to Villaruel. Profoods International, a fruit processing company with main plants in Cebu, is planning to grow and produce “organic coconuts” to be able to process organic coco cream for exports to meet a huge demand overseas. Villaruel said the company is now looking for a one thousand-hectare coconut farm in Davao to start this project. Villaruel said an acute shortage of coco husks and coco shells in Mindanao is now being felt by producers and exporters of active carbon, charcoal briquettes, and geonets

made from coco twines whose raw material are coco fibers. Malagos Farms, according to Villaruel, is one of the many companies in Davao willing to buy all kinds of coconut wastes like coco husks, coco peat, coco shells, etc. in big volumes. “There’s still a shortage of raw materials, especially coco husks, to make coco twines. These twines are needed to make geonets,” said Villaruel, who is scheduled to leave for Japan in November to promote and market various coconut value-added products from the Davao Region.

7 ENVIRONMENT

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 152 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

CAN SOLAR ENERGY SOLVE MINDANAO POWER WOES? By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

“I’d put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a source of power! I hope we don’t have to wait till oil and coal run out before we tackle that.” -- American inventor and businessman Thomas Alva Edison

ECENTLY, the government-owned Philippine News Agency reported that the provincial government of Sarangani has adopted the solar power technology to enhance the lighting system of its Capitol compound in the municipality of Alabel. According to Engineer Franz Von Abriam, who is the street lights supervisor of the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO), a total of 41 solar lamps have been installed inside the capitol compound under the projects phases 1 and 2. Currently, they are working on the implementation of the third and fourth phases of the project, which will cover the rear or back portion of the capitol compound. “The latter phases are due for completion early next year,” Abraim was quoted as saying. PNA reported that around P2.4 million was allocated by the provincial government. Before it was implemented, the solar-powered street lighting project was endorsed and approved by the Provincial Development Council, the province’s highest development policy-making body. The report quoted Carlito Rosal, who said the installation of the solar-powered lamps will drastically reduce the local government’s electricity consumption. “The solar-powered streetlights only consume 30 watts of power so that means huge saving in terms of electricity costs,” pointed out the head of the power room of the Provincial General Services Office. Actually, the project “is the provincial government’s response to efforts by the government to pro-

mote the adoption of renewable energy technologies in support to the global call on climate change mitigation,” PNA said. Some years back, thenBayan Muna Party-list Rep. Teddy Casiño suggested adapting solar energy to solve the problem of power crisis that beset Mindanao every summer. Given the abundance of solar energy in the country and the modular nature of the solar energy systems, Casiño said that solar energy can be an immediate and sustainable way to solve Mindanao’s power woes. “Solar power has the ability to shave the daytime peak demand for major cities in Mindanao,” he said citing Davao, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Cotabato, Iligan and Zamboanga. The former lawmaker who is from Davao said that if only the government harnesses the country’s solar resources, the country can build additional supply of power, liberate the people from expensive, dirty and imported fossil fuels, and develop the local renewable energy industry. Secretary Carlos Jericho L. Petilla of the Department of Energy, however, rejected the proposal, explaining that while the agency strongly encourages the development and utilization of renewable energy resources in the country, using solar energy might actually be more expensive for the people in Mindanao in the long run as solar energy requires long-term contracts to be viable which could take as long as 20 years. An insider also gives this author these facts: Solar power cannot be stored and it is very costly. “It’s around P12 per kilowatt

hour (kwh) while coal is P5.50 kwh,” he said. “As for hydropower, it is around P5.00 kwh.” To produce one megawatt (MW) power from the sun, some 2 hectares of land are needed. “In order to produce the same amount of energy (total kilowatts produced in one year) of a 300-MW coal power plant, you will need more than 3,000 hectares of solar power,” he pointed out. And “since power from solar power plant fluctuates (when there are clouds, or when it suddenly rains), you need a standby power plant that will switch on, to maintain the voltage. This is often a diesel power plant,” he said. Whether summer or not, Mindanao’s peak power consumption is between 6 to 9 p.m. As for solar power’s peak production, it is at 12 noon. “You are not actually addressing the problem of power crisis with this,” he said. “Solar power is good,” he said. “But it is not the solution to our problem right now. Our problem needs a power plant that can run 24/7 regardless of the weather, what we call a baseload power plant. Once we secure our baseload, then we can pursue intermediate and peaking power projects like solar and wind.” Solar power is the conversion of sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaics (PVs) or indirectly using concentrated solar power (CSP). CSP systems use lenses or mirrors and tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam. PVs convert light into electric current using the photoelectric effect.

A company advertising solar power claims: “Solar power is an ecologically and environmentally friendly solution to your power needs. Solar power virtually emits zero pollution. Unlike fossil fuels, solar power does not emit harmful pollutants which contribute to the greenhouse effect which leads to global warming.” It adds: “The Philippines, which has the most expensive electricity in Asia, will continue to have increasing electricity rates in the future. By generating your own electricity you introduce long term savings and will no longer fully depend on power providers. You also gain the reliability that when utility power lines are cut-off, you can still enjoy the electricity which you yourself generated using the power of the sun.” Tapping power from the sun is not new in the country. In 2001, the Environmental News Network (ENN) carried this news item: “In one of the world’s most isolated areas, where power generated by coal, oil or natural gas is not readily available, 150 villages are about to see the light of solar panels as a means of their first electricity. “BP Solar and the governments of Spain and the Philippines have signed an agreement that will bring solar power to about 400,000 residents in the Mindanao region of the Philippines, where about one-third of the nation’s rural poor live.” The ENN report commented: ““Renewable energy in the Philippines is often more efficient than extending the electric grid. The prohibitive cost of building power lines and

the difficulty of transporting fuel for generators to remote, developing areas makes solar power an ideal solution.” Mio de la Cruz, in an article which appeared in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, wrote: “On a scorching summer day in a tropical country like the Philippines, the sun beams out approximately 1,000 watts of energy per square meter of surface area that it shines on. If we could harness all that energy, then we could easily power our homes and offices for free.” While solar power is indeed free and plentiful, the solar panels (the mirrors that catch the rays of the sun to turn water into steam that would turn the power-generating turbines) are very costly. “The cost of trapping sunshine and converting it into electricity is considered: approximately P1,000 per watt, way above the reach of the ordinary people,” de la Cruz wrote. Those who want to avail themselves of 1,000 watts of solar power to run appliances in their home need to invest at least P1 million. But the good news is: The cost of manufacturing solar panels is getting lower every year. What’s more, their efficiency is increasing. Solar power is indeed environment-friendly. As the ENN report puts it: “The solar systems in the Philippines will reduce the dependence of villages on non-renewable energy sources. The systems will also slow deforestation, as less wood will be cut to meet daily needs. Replacing diesel generators, the new solar systems will reduce air and noise pollution.”

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

VOL. 7 ISSUE 152 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

Dangerous situation

RICYCLES have long been a problem for Davao City’s main roads and highways. They have been plying these thoroughfares despite a longstanding ban on them, putting their drivers and passengers at great risk as they share the same roads with cars and even huge trucks that literally dwarf them as they move along. Legally, they belong only to subdivisions and smaller communities, not on the city’s major streets where they compete for space and slow everything else down with their limited speed and maneuverability. Other vehicles are forced to virtually tiptoe around them for fear of snagging or tipping them over, causing a slowdown in traffic that adds to the many irritations of urban living. And of course sometimes, tricycles get into accidents, and when they do the results can be horrific. This is what happened last Friday in Sirawan, Toril where a tricycle was rammed by a bus as the former overtook a van along the highway. The impact set the tricycle on fire and killed its driver and passenger. The bus driver has been detained and may face charges of reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property and multiple homicide, even though it may be argued that the tricycle had no business

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being on that stretch of road in the first place. The accident may, in a very real sense, be blamed on the city government’s inability to keep tricycles out of the highways. That it happened right in front of the Task Force Davao (TFD) checkpoint brings home the point that the local authorities apparently have no plan to enforce the law and crack the whip on tricycle drivers who daily flout the law in our streets. In yesterday’s City Council session, councilor Bernard Al-ag sent a strong plead to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to open a new jeepney route franchise from crossing Baracatan to Toril Poblacion to address the problem, saying the lack of such a route is forcing people to take tricycles on the highway. He also asked the Traffic Management Center (TMC) and PNP Highway Patrol Group to strictly implement the law prohibiting motorized tricycles from plying the national highways. We certainly hope these agencies will do their part, and not just in Toril but all over the city. Lives are being put on the line every single day in our roads and highways, and something must be done to address this dangerous situation. ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

AGAPITO JOAQUIN JR. Associate Editor

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. CHENEEN R. CAPON BAI FAUZIAH FATIMA SINSUAT AMBOLODTO Reporters MEGHANN STA. INES AQUILES Z. ZONIO NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. FUNNY PEARL GAJUNERA Lifestyle Photography CHA MONFORTE JOSEPH LAWRENCE P. GARCIA Correspondents ARLENE D. PASAJE Contributing Photographer Cartoons MUNDA • HENRYLITO TACIO • MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO AURELIO A. PEÑA • MARY Columnists: CARLOS MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. ANN “ADI”• C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • VIDA MIA VALVERDE • Economic Analysts:• ENRICO BORBON MARY ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN • NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN EMILY “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER PEREZENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA EconomicM. Analyst:

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 7 ISSUE 152 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

Who fears the Federal Republic?

ITH the recent “campaign” caravans pleading with our Mayor to run for President, fresh discussion has sparked in our island for the creation of a Federal Republic. Before moving into the topic, the question is: How did the concept of federalism develop? Centralized control over power is the realm of emperors, or a dictatorial class or culture of people who expect no less than to rule for maximum gain for themselves with little regard for the welfare of those over which their power extends. Rule they will, but lead they often don’t. Think China before the Chin Dynasty and before Mao, and European countries prior to the entry of the 20th Century. Back then, it was considered all right for a ruling class or sovereign that siphoned excess production from vassal states to supply the needs of their armies on quests of expansion and colonization. The English conquered and ruled over a united kingdom, including Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and The Spanish Crown held sway over a diverse mix of Catalans, Basques, Andalusians and a mix of other cultured within the Spanish homeland. Central control is a feature of the old feudal system where power and authority of certain groups of people is ceded to a conquering sovereign. As these sovereigns built colonies in the new worlds beyond their own, the system of central control intensified. It therefore generally followed that the farther away the colony was from central government, the more moribund administration was wielded over that country, and the poorer it became.

VANTAGE POINTS

In general, MY TWO CENTS’ that is. With this, some sovereigns were to be benevolent protectors, while others plundered the wealth of these regions. As the 20th century progressed, John Tria communications ecisouth@gmail.com t e c h n o l o g y, near universal education, and other means of sharing information encouraged different ethnic groups within sovereign territories to assert their identity in the form of self governance. Remember how Yugoslavia became Bosina, Croatia, and Serbia (even breaking up the once potent Yugoslavian basketball team) and a host of other states. How Germany united and the Soviet Union splintered into many other states as the Iron Curtain fell. The recent independence vote in Scotland and Catalonia reveals a continuing desire for the fulfillment of certain communal hopes. A mixed bag of ethnic and economic aspirations and gripes about central government neglect or marginalization prompts a people to seek an independent identity upon which destiny is charted. In the Philippines, resources of far off lands like Mindanao were once cut up into concessions for some business families in Luzon, profits from which made them wealthy

residents of the capital. Of course, notable exceptions were those who stayed in Mindanao to grow and sustain other enterprises from the land, providing sustainable livelihood and stability for many migrant and native families. You will know them by the way their children stayed to contribute to the richness of the island with their talents in pursuit of entrepreneurial visions. The fall of Marcos in 1986 unleashed many pent up desires for the ability to determine their own future and a desire to prevent a corrupt overconsolidation of power from happening again. The local Government Code of 1991 enabled local governments greater flexibility to allocate their own resources rather than remit practically everything to Manila. In 1997, the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act provided legal recognition to the claims of Indigenous Peoples over their domains. In both laws, the desire for self determination was enshrined as a logic that challenged the notion that centralized government was key to effective governance. For the opposite is often true. High performing local government units provided better, more responsive service than the national government agencies. Many LGUs had better credit ratings compared with the national government and have achieved better marks in meeting millennium development goals when compared with the national average. Of course, there are those LGUs for whom centralized governance remained a better option. The local government code gave the LGUs the right to do certain things. Those

Pelayo vs. Tiongco

olitical headlines in Davao often feast on the contentious saga between Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte and nemesis, former House Speaker Prospero C. Nograles. But this is just part of a larger body of electoral contests found in our jurisprudence. Pantaleon V. Pelayo, Jr., son of a former mayor, filed a petition for certiorari, which the high court treated as “an original special civil action for certiorari” under case G.R. No. L-28869 after the Board of Canvassers failed to proclaim him as the winner in the November 14, 1967 election for the 10th slot in the City Council. Eventually, though, on Jan. 13, 1968, he was declared winner but the Commission on Elections, in its Feb. 7, 1968, resolution nullified his proclamation. On record, the Board, on Dec. 4, 1967, convened and canvassed the returns of the city for the positions of mayor, vice-mayor and councilors until the final results were tallied. Fifteen days later, the same board issued a certificate of votes of candidates showing petitioner Pelayo, Jr. (LP) garnering 16,541 votes as against the 16,495 votes Gaudioso M. Tiongco (NP) got. To validate the results, on Dec. 26, 1967, the Board proclaimed the winning mayor, vice-mayor, and nine councilors but the 10th councilor was left out on account of an earlier case filed on Dec. 23, 1967, by Tiongco before the CFI of Davao, docketed as Election Case 1571, which effectively stopped Pelayo’s proclamation. Twelve days earlier, Tiongco filed with the Davao court a petition for

FAST BACKWARD BY THE ARCHIVIST correction of returns under the Election Code, arguing the votes in the name of David Pelayo, Pantaleon’s brother who ran as an independent candidate and later declared nuisance, were erroneously credited to the petitioner. He asked for a correction of returns, judicial recount of votes, and mandamus to compel the board to credit the stray votes in his favor. But the judicial recount only added 10 votes to Tiongco’s tally thus reducing the Pelayo votes to 16,531. Even in the court’s decision of Jan. 10, 1968, Pelayo’s lead was only reduced to 36 votes, which makes the petitioner the winner. As a result, the restraining order filed by Tiongco was lifted and set aside, and three days thereafter the board proclaimed Pelayo winner. On Jan. 15, 1968, Tiongco went to court again with a petition asking the court’s decision dated Jan. 10, 1968

not to be reconsidered, and, three days after, also prayed for the annulment of the petitioner’s proclamation. For the first time, the respondent raised the issue of validity of the composition of the board that proclaimed Pelayo after the Comelec ordered the appointment of a city judge as replacement of the acting city fiscal who was installed as board chair. This petition, though, was rejected by the court. A second motion was filed but it was not acted upon. As replacement, the Comelec organized a new board composed of a city fiscal as chair, the elected vice-mayor, and 12 proclaimed councilors as members, including an agent for the tenth councilor. Pelayo questioned the new board’s composition. Few days later, the Comelec ordered the “new City Board of Canvassers of Davao City to continue and complete the canvass of all the votes case in all the precincts in the City of Davao, but to hold in abeyance the proclamation of the winning candidate until further orders of this Commission. Curiously, the electoral body gave telegraphic instructions to the new board “not to canvass the votes and not to proclaim the 10th councilor-elect of said City.” In its decision dated June 29, 1968, the SC declared the resolutions of the Comelec dated Feb. 7 and Mar. 14, 1968 null and void, while the proclamation of Pelayo by the Board of Canvassers on Jan. 13, 1968 was considered valid and in full force and effect. Costs for the litigation were charged against respondent Tiongco.

who did not use these rights chose not to develop as well as the others. OK. So having engaged this logic of federalism once again, the second most obvious question is asked: Who is afraid of a federal Philippines? Senator Antonio Trillanes has weighed in by saying he does not favor it due to the supposed chaos it will bring. Others from Manila are skeptical about whether a federal Philippines will bring the development of other regions or become another paper measure that the weak Philippine state will put on a shelf. I remember former President GMA including this in her 2004 campaign platform, but nobody ever heard of it being pursued. Nonetheless, if the local government code’s implementation is a yardstick for the success of autonomy that a Federal Philippines will bring, then we only have to look at local governments that have been successful in utilizing the opportunities to generate local revenue, use debt for development, and in its course, provide necessary social services and spur investment in the boomtowns that they have become. They who fear the federalization of the Philippines fear diminishing control, or a loss of the proverbial first dibs over power, authority, and decision making on gains they can make from regions of the country. Like the local government code, a federal form of government will work best for those who are most ready to responsibly exercise control and sustainably develop the territory they govern. It will not work for those who look to Malacañang to keep them afloat.

‘You cannot escape from your destiny...’

EVERAL BRAVEHEART months ago, as I was hitting practice balls in the Davao City Golf Club fairway No. 1, Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte walked out of the backdoor of his modest Manny Piñol home in a lowcost housing subdivision to a waiting Raven helicopter which he uses to move around the city. Shaking hands with him and exchanging pleasantries, I asked him if he would listen to the clamor of the people for him to run for President of the Philippines. What I got was a wry smile and a statement which somehow blamed me and a few others for whipping up the idea of the Presidency. “Kamo gyud! Kamo gyud nagsugod ining kabuang. Ikaw na lang, Pare, mas qualified ka pa sa ako,” he joked. (You people! You started this madness. Why don’t you run instead, Pare, you are more qualified than I am.) We both laughed and then I came close to him and whispered: “Remember this: You cannot escape from your destiny.” Last Saturday night, during the boxing event at the Almendras Gym (now called the Davao City Recreation Center) which the Mayor attended and stayed in until 2:30 in the morning of Sunday, I repeated the same line while introducing two outstanding young boxers and thanking Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy for his support to Philippine boxing. Calling him “The Unwilling President,” I repeated the line which I whispered to him before he rode his chopper many months ago: “You cannot escape from your destiny.” Hearing that, the almost 3,000 people who filled the gymnasium erupted in a wild cheer. The Mayor bowed his head and covered his face with his two hands. He must have realized that indeed, he cannot escape from his destiny.

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ically in highways. Unfortunately, it does not look like it will be the last,” Alag said. He cited a provision from the Code of Ordinance of Davao City that for “safety reasons, motorized tricycles-for-hire (MTH) are prohibited to operate on national highways utilized by for fourwheel vehicles greater than four tons and where normal speed exceeds 40 kilometers per hour, the MTH regulatory board may provide exceptions, if there is no alternative route.” He said despite the prohibition, there are still tricycles traversing

the highways due to lack of public transportation in certain areas. One example of this is the route from Toril to Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, he said. “How can we stop this kind of vehicular accident from happening again if cannot provide enough public transportation?” Al-ag said. Based on the Investigation report of Toril Police Station, two of the tricycle’s occupants were thrown out after the collision with the bus with plate number RLL-978. Killed on the spot were tricycle driver Manolito Balagon and passenger Manuel Mercado.

Bus driver Alan Gulayan was taken into custody by the police. Traffic investigator Senior Police Officer (SPO) 1 Vivencio Virtudazo cited witnesses’ claims that the tricycle overtook a van and hit the metro shuttle bus coming from the opposite direction. It burst into flames and then hit the van it was following. Gulayan, for his part, said the tricycle suddenly hit his bus and he could not swerve away in time. He faces possible charges of reckless imprudence resulting in damage to property and multiple homicide.

cilors asked committee of finance, ways and means, and appropriations chair councilor Danilo C. Dayanghirang for further study on his proposed 70-30 sharing of the remaining 70 percent of TSI’s business tax. Thirty percent of the tax automatically goes to Davao City since its main office is located here. Councilor Victorio Advincula said there is a need for another committee hearing on the matter to accommodate the Sta. Cruz government to talk about the sharing. Based on the committee report read by Dayanghirang, TSI proposed that the remaining seventy percent of the LBT be shared by the local government units (LGUs). This proposition was based on a similar case of the San Roque Power Corporation (SRPC) in Pangasinan in which the sharing of LBT was decided by the Bureau of Local Government Finance (BLGF) under the Department of Finance (DOF). The TSI said the BLGF

“held that in the instance where the facilities located in another municipality are integral and indispensable part of the hydroelectric plant and no electric power will be produced without the other, the 70 percent sharing shall be shared between the two municipalities. Under these circumstances, SRPC’s integrated hydroelectric plant is a single unified plant that is physically located in two municipalities within the contemplation of the LGC (Local Government Code).” City administrator J. Melchor V. Quitain said in the report that the city should have the biggest share and therefore he was not in favor of equally sharing the remaining 70 percent. TSI legal counsel lawyers Raul Nadela Jr. informed the Sta. Cruz LGU about the city’s proposal but it did not agree and instead pushed for 5050 share. The report said based on the inquiries made with TSI personnel, the part of the project being constructed in the area of Sta. Cruz is the Coal

Dome which will be used as coal storage and the area is accessible to the port. Quitain said if that is the case, then the part where the Coal Dome located is not integral and indispensable because this can be relocated in Davao City. Appearing in yesterday’s session, City Treasurer Rodrigo Riola said the city should have a bigger share on TSI’s LBT since the city got the higher percentage of equipment of the coal plant compared with Sta. Cruz. Riola said the Coal Dome located in Sta. Cruz is “dispensable” and can be relocated in Davao City. In an interview after the discussion, Orig told reporters that they are going to abide by what the two LGUs will agree on regarding the tax sharing. Orig said 80 percent of the land area of the power plant is on Davao City while 20 percent lies in Sta. Cruz. As for the equipment of TSI, 60 percent are in Davao City while 40 percent are in Sta. Cruz.

ment for consumption in Davao City. She said that the stock can still last for 90-day consumption until 2015 starts. Every month, NFA disposes 40,000 of rice for the city. However, she clarified that the buffer stock in their warehouses is for the whole region and not only of Davao City. In addition, she said the region is expecting the arrival of another 560,000 bags either on the last week of October or the first week of November. Respecia said they are expecting the harvesting season for domestic rice

to increase the supply of the commercial stock this month, although there is a prior report that the lean months for rice will be extended until this month. The NFA sells wellmilled rice for P32 a kilo and regular-milled rice for P27 a kilo. Earlier, Johnny N. Loyola, former chair of Rice Traders of Davao Association, said the supply of rice is not enough, prompting rice traders in the city to increase their distribution price during the second quarter of the year. “We normally receive 1,000 bags of commer-

cial rice daily, but recently it went down to 500 because it’s already lean month,” Loyola said. His supply of commercial rice is coming from rice producing provinces like South Cotabato and Davao del Sur. “We have a rice shortage in the city and this is the same among other regions in the country because of low yield,” he said, adding that the months of May, June, and July are lean months. Current price of commercial rice ranged from P36 to P47, depending on the rice variety. CRC

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Hearing...FFROM 2 the predicaments that both parties encounter,” Fernanded said. The RIAS 11 is set to reschedule another hearing for the four counts of grave misconduct filed before the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles, California.

The case was endorsed to the National Internal Affairs of the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame and then turned over to the Police Regional Office (PRO) 11. In her sworn state-

ment, Danao’s wife said her husband slapped her four times inside their conjugal house in 2002. The DCPO chief filled his counter affidavit before the RIAS 11 on September 19 in response to the case filed against him by his wife.

within five days to let us know why they should not be sanctioned or filed charges against,” he said in an interview over TV Patrol Socsksargen. Solon expressed disappointment over the two jailbreaks, which he attributed to possible negligence by their personnel. He admitted that he is personally puzzled as to how the inmates could escape from the supposedly fortified and tightly-guarded facility. “The jail is enclosed

by four high walls with barbed wires and it has guards with issued firearms. With that alone, I think there’s no way for the inmates to escape from it,” he lamented. Solon said the local government is currently drawing some measures to effectively secure the provincial jail, which recorded daring escapes in the past involving high-profile inmates. He said they are looking at the creation of a technical working group involving the Bureau of

Jail Management and Penology to address the jail’s security problems. In 2001, Norberto Manero Jr., alias Kumander Bucay, escaped from the facility without being noticed by the jail guards. A high-risk detainee, Mohamad Jaafar Maguid alias Tokboy, also bolted from the provincial jail on March 2010. Maguid was blamed for the August 2008 raid of Maasim town where two civilians were killed. (MindaNews)

he had no known enemies,” Albero said in the vernacular. Javison said they are already focusing on several possible motives regarding the case but refused to give any details. He said they are also working on the identifi-

cation of the gunman and the possible masterminds of the killing. “Our investigation and hot pursuit operations are currently ongoing,” the police official said. Benitez served as municipal councilor of Maasim for three straight

terms from 1988 until 1998 when he was elected vice mayor. He ran for mayor in 2001 but eventually lost. He last ran for mayor of Maasim as an independent in the 2010 local and national elections. (MindaNews)

Philippines as basis of his explanation. The section reads that “importation is deemed terminated upon payment of the duties, taxes and other charges due upon the articles, or secured to be paid, at a port of entry and the legal permit withdrawal shall have been granted.” Aradanas, who was just appointed in February this year, said he first issued an Alert Order in order to “protect the interest of the government.” “I issued first an Alert Order while the hearing on the existence of probable cause was on-going in compliance with the due process of law as required by Section 2535 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines,” he said. Aradanas said after the issuance of the alert order, he eventually issued the Warrant of Seizure and Detention on September 23 on the day he left for the 8th BIMP-EAGA Heads of Customs Meeting in Pon-

tianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia, even when the fact finding was not yet complete. “The shipment’s integrity remains as it was at the moment when the Commissioner gave me a ‘direct order’ to issue WSD (September 12, 2014) without established probable cause by the Port of Davao, contrary to the insinuation that I delayed the process to allow the illegal discharge of the said shipment,” Aradanas said. Aradanas also denied that he belonged to the “corrupt and non-performing officials” being rid of as part of the new policy direction of BOC. “My accomplishments as District Collector of the Port of Davao show that my port is one of the best performing Collection Districts of Bureau of Customs,” he said, adding that Commissioner Sevilla himself gave the Port of Davao a Plaque of Commendation very recently for outstand-

ing performance for the past months. Despite the allegation being thrown at Aradanas, 60 BOC-Davao employees signed an open letter and manifesto addressed to Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima and to Sevilla attesting to his “good leadership and outstanding accomplishments.” The open letter and manifesto was also emailed to Edge Davao by Espino yesterday. “I hope for an impartial investigation of the case, not really to hold on to my post but more so to set the records straight and somehow recognize the organizational dysfunction that transpired which emanated from the Intelligence Group of Bureau of Customs. When institutional systems and the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP) will be replaced by personal biases, the good intentions of the customs transformation is lost,” he said. CRC

gineers and architects. She said professional engineers and architects have the knowledge of the full implementation of the accessibility law since they know the correct standard of the ramps to be put in buildings. “Usually the building officers are not really pro-

fessionals and they don’t even have knowledge of the building code,” she said. The required size of the ramps for the PWDs should be 1.20 meters in width, enough for two wheelchairs to meet, and have a gradient ratio of 1:12. Zubiaga also said she hopes that after the sem-

inar, the tourism industry in the city would be more open and would be more inclusive in terms of providing tourist services for PWDs. The seminar was attended by several PWDs, tourist service providers, and business owners or their representatives.

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ASUS Zenbook UX303LN now locally available A

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Refined new shape, stylish new color Zenbook has always been the epitome of stylish computing, and the thin and light UX303LN takes this to a new level. The subtly-enhanced classic Zenbookdesign, with its signature spun-metal concentric circle finish, is now even sleeker and is perfectly complemented by the fashionable new Smoky Brown color. Measuring an incredible 3mm thin at the front edge and tapering to just 9mm at the rear, the precision-crafted all-aluminum UX303LN has razor-thin edges and a gently-curved profile that make it both practical and attractive. A stunning visual experience ZenbookUX303LN is available with a state-ofthe-art 13.3” 16:9 IPS LED multi-touch screen display

that has an incredible resolution of 1920x1080 pixels (FHD), providing stunningly-crisp, vibrant and lifelike images. A special anti-glare coating reduces annoying reflections to ensure viewing comfort. ZenbookUX303LN ensuresoutstanding clarity in any lighting conditions, and the high-fidelity touch actuators — which are more than twice as sensitive as the industry standard — provide ultra-responsive and precise touchscreen control for navigation or drawing. Performance to spare The Zenbook family is renowned for combining elegance with outstanding performance, and UX303LN is no exception. At its heart is a powerful 4th-generation up to Intel Core i7 processor for seamless multitasking, complemented by dedicated desktop-grade NVIDIA

GeForce GT840 graphics with 2GB of video RAM for stunning image quality and silky-smooth rendering of high-resolution videos or the latest games. ASUS SonicMasterand AudioWizard for incredible sound ZenbookUX303LN features ASUS SonicMaster audio, incorporating ICEpower®, Bang and Olufsen technology, for crystal-clear vocals and deep, rich bass. To achieve its premium sound quality,

UX303LN uses high-quality 1.5W speakers with oval voice coils and oversize magnets. Combined with large resonant chambers and the aluminum chassis design, these produce remarkably powerful full-frequency sound. Different sound sources need different audio settings, a task that is made incredibly easy with UX303LN’s exclusive AudioWizard. With five presets for different scenarios — music, movies, speech, gaming and recording — AudioWizard ensures that you always get the best possible sound, whatever you’re listening to. ASUS ZenbookUX303LNprice starts at P49,995 and is available here in the Philippines at the following ASUS authorized dealers: Octagon, VillMan, Electroworld, Silicon Valley, Complink, PC Express, Benerson, Columbia, Concept, Digital Interface, Dwinar, PC Square. Call your preferred dealer for stock availability at store level.

Globe, Bayan decry TRO on rehab

AYAN Telecommunications Inc. (Bayan) and Globe Telecom (Globe) yesterday expressed regret over the issuance by the Court of Appeals of a temporary restraining order (TRO) preventing the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) from acting on Globe and Bayan’s joint application for the acquisition by Globe of a majority stake in Bayan. The TRO was dated October 9, 2014 based on a petition by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT). “PLDT’s petition for a TRO will further delay proceedings and impact Bayan’s 350,000 custom-

ers in terms of much needed service improvements,” Bayan head of legal and regulatory affairs Atty. Ariel B. Tubayan said. “This bid to delay the completion of the corporate rehabilitation of Bayan hampers the intention of both companies to ensure the viability of Bayan’s operations,” he added. Tubayan said the rehabilitation plan of Bayan has been seen by many as a milestone achievement in judicial history, helping to steer the company towards a better financial position and enabling it to provide social and economic gains for the consuming public. On August 27, 2013,

the Pasig Regional Trial Court granted the Joint Motion of Bayan and Globe to amend Bayan’s rehab plan and confirmed the amended rehab plan alongside the master restructuring agreement. Globe general counsel Atty. Froilan Castelo, for his part, said the company is eager to see through the completion of Bayan’s rehabilitation. “The telecommunications industry should not be held hostage by a single dominant player. As a public utility company, we have a responsibility to serve the expanding needs of Filipino consumers through improved products and services,” he said.

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EDGEDAVAO

WOMEN

YOGA

An exercise for the body and soul

MORE and more communities have turned to yoga as a means of getting fit and healthy. Yoga has taken on an essential task as the roles and demands on women, moms included, continue to grow and become more intertwined and complex. Today’s multifaceted, successful and dynamic women need good health, mental peace and balance to be able to carry out their duties and goals at home and at work.

Keeping fit and healthy.

A daily practice of yoga brings balance into one’s life, which helps in attaining a better perspective throughout the changing needs along each phase in life. Yoga is an effective way to improve your flexibility and strength. It works every part of the body, bringing forth movement along with stimulation of the organs, muscles and bones. As it strengthens your core, your body also becomes more fit and toned. To those who take their body for granted just because of the lack of physical and rigorous activities, yoga will change how you perceive your body as it reconnects you to your inner strength and radiance, leading you to discover and accept what your body can do. Maybelle Yu, a mom of 3, is no stranger to the

Maybelle trying out some yoga poses . concept of getting fit. After all, the lifestyle trend is now, finally, leaning towards wellness and letting go of excess baggage --- whether fat or unresolved issues. Maybelle is committed to taking care of her well being and her body and disposition are testaments to her dedication and discipline. “I have tried different workouts. My siblings and I value our wellness and we strive to keep ourselves fit,” shares Maybelle. “I started practicing yoga with one purpose in mind, which was to lose all the extra inches and weight I gained from the third pregnancy.”

“I got hooked to yoga after only a few tries. As I went on with the practice, I didn’t worry much about losing the weight anymore

because I was enjoying my classes and getting better each day became my only focus. I did lose the weight after a year of practice. To

Maybelle with fellow yogis. some, they probably don’t have the patience to wait it out for that long, but

FYOGA, A4

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 152 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

UP AND ABOUT

Chimes Specialty Store celebrates ten years with ten weeks of shopping deals

HE shopping Mecca of Davao during the late ‘70s was at Felcris Sales – Chimes Specialty Store’s parent company.

Over a decade ago, when the idea of reinventing the well-loved Felcris Sales into an upscale specialty store was still at its early brainstorming stages, a lot of people asked “Is Davao ready for this?”

Clockwise from left: Chimes Specialty Store Sales opened its doors on October 8, 2004 and gave Dabawenyos access to the best products and brands from all over the world. Inside Chimes Specialty Store Sales. Inside Chimes Specialty Store Abreeza.

There was a realization that this had to be something bigger and distinctively different for Davao. A host of international names had to be infused with the uniquely Filipino finds; the “personalized” shopping experience had to be redefined. Finalizing the concept for Chimes was no easy task. After almost three years of intense planning and development, Chimes Specialty Store finally opened its

doors on October 8, 2004. This month marks Chimes Specialty Store’s 10 years of catering to the sophisticated shoppers of Davao. Through the years, it has established itself as a venue where Davaoeños can find unique and highquality merchandise. The loyalty that customers

have shown Chimes has allowed the department store to create a second home at Abreeza Mall and soon a third branch at Felcris Centrale Mall. So, going back to the question raised. YES! Davao was ready! To celebrate this milestone, Chimes has created the “10 Thank You” Event. 10 weeks in length with 10 celebrations, each focusing on a specific brand to commemorate 10 years of being in business. The 10 Thank You Event started last October 8 with the “Chimes Specialty Store 10th Anniversary Midnight Sale” an will continue until December 22.

Adventure game ‘Epic Life’ wins GlobeSamsung Regional App Challenge LANGUAGE adventure game Epic Life which teaches how a civilization starts and devolves bags the Globe-Samsung Regional App Challenge and is set to represent the Philippines in the SingTel Group competition in Singapore this month. Created by a Davao-based team composed of Eric Clark Su, Francis Jed Guipo, and Orlando Yanson, Epic Life is a port of the best-selling, open source, minimalistic text adventure game “A Dark Room” that uses words as a form of play. It bested 10 other semi-finalists and won for the team USD 6,000 (PHP 260,000) in cash and USD 3,000 (PHP 130,000) worth of devices. Since Epic Life is basically a text game, it easily fits into Samsung’s wearable devices specifically the Gear, thus, players can do tasks and gather resources even without their phone. The game was built through the Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) of Globe Labs and Samsung. “We are excited to bring Epic Life to Singapore and give the winning team the platform to showcase their talent in technology and design. This is another big break for the devel-

ERIC SU, developer of winning app Epic Life (middle) together with Globe, SingTel, and Samsung officials. From L-R: Anne Michelle Santos, Manager, Developer Relations, Globe Telecom; Cris Concepcion , Head, Content and Services, Samsung Philippines; Greg Igaya, Director, New Product Development, Globe Telecom; Teo Han Yong, Director, Regional Products, SingTel International; Nicholas Foo, Head, Regional Developer Management, Content and Services, Samsung Asia; and Erika Aurea Gatmaitan, Community Manager, Globe Labs. oper community in the country as participation in the regional competition may give them opportunities for go-to-market partnerships, distribution, and investments,” said Anne Michelle Santos, Manager for Developer Relations of Globe Labs, the developer commu-

nity of Globe Telecom. Second place went to VoiceUp of Enrique Florendo, Marisa Oge, and Farouk Meralli. VoiceUp takes the best experiences of wildly popular singing competitions like The Voice and American Idol and puts them on a smartphone app. With

VoiceUp, aspiring singers have the chance to get discovered by simply singing into their phone and be rated by general users of the app. Singers will rise or fall in a real-time billboard chart. Social features such as commenting, following and sharing to other social media

sites creates a connected and engaging experience for users. The team went home with USD 2,000 in cash (PHP 90,000). The Globe - Samsung Regional App Challenge formed the Manila leg of the SingTel Group-Samsung competition which aims to identify innovative startups in the region, help them to accelerate their app development and connect them with operators within the SingTel Group which have a combined mobile customer base of over 500 million in 25 markets across Asia and Africa. All winners from the participating countries will go on an all-expense paid, one-week accelerator program in Singapore this October and vie for the Best App. The final winner will get marketing support from operators within the SingTel Group and Samsung to launch its product in their respective markets. Judges for the competition are Santos, Greg Igaya, Director, Globe New Product Development; Cris Concepcion, Director, Samsung Content & Services; and Teo Han Yong, Director, SingTel International Regional Products.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 152 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

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INdulge! A3

ENTERTAINMENT

ABS-CBN’s ‘master teleserye’ now on its last two weeks

Coco and Kim’s love story comes full circle

ABS-CBN’s “Ikaw Lamang” will give TV viewers a “once in a lifetime TV event” as the love story of Coco Martin and Kim Chiu’s first characters, Samuel and Isabelle (now portrayed by Joel Torre and Amy Austria), comes full circle in the last two weeks of ABS-CBN’s master drama series. Since it aired last March, “Ikaw Lamang” has consistently kept TV viewers hooked from the beginning of Samuel and Isabelle’s love story during the ‘70s, until the blossoming relationship of Gabriel (Coco) and Andrea (Kim) in the present. Further proving the success of the master drama series is its more than 150 episodes which dominated its time slot in the national TV ratings, its best-selling album, and the Twitter-trending performances of its powerhouse cast. In its last two weeks, “Ikaw Lamang” will surely intensify the nights of TV viewers now that Isabelle and Andrea have escaped from Franco (Christopher de Leon) with the help of Samuel and Gabriel. Will Isabelle and Andrea finally escape from Franco, or will he succeed once again to separate

them from the men they truly love? Is Natalia (KC Concepcion) going to have a change of heart and forgive Isabelle and Andrea when she discovers the truth about Franco’s past? In the end, will

Gabriel and Andrea finally get the happy ending that their parents once dreamt of having? Completing the powerhouse cast of “Ikaw Lamang” are Jake Cuenca, Julia Montes, Ron-

aldo Valdez, Tirso Cruz III, Cherry Pie Picache, Cherie Gil, John Estrada, Daria Ramirez, Meryl Soriano, Spanky Manikan, and Lester Llansang. Also featured in the huge change of the master drama series are its newest characters portrayed by Rio Locsin, Nonie Buencamino, Smokey Manaloto, Smokey Manaloto, Arlene Muhlach, Jojit Lorenzo, Alora Sasam, and Mylene Dizon. Under the direction of Malu Sevilla, Manny Palo, and Avel Sunpongco, the master drama series “Ikaw Lamang” is produced by Dreamscape Entertainment Television, the group that created top-rating TV masterpieces such as “Walang Hanggan,” “Ina Kapatid Anak,” and “Juan dela Cruz.” Don’t miss the grand finale of the timeless master teleserye, “Ikaw Lamang,” on October 24 (Friday), after “Hawak Kamay” on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida. For more information about “Ikaw Lamang” visit the show’s official social media accounts Facebook.com/ Ik awL amang.O nline, Twit ter.com/Ik awL a mang_TV and Instagram. com/IkawLamang_TV.

‘Friendship over’ between Pepito Manaloto and his friend this Saturday This Saturday, spend a memorable evening with your friends and make it extra special by watching Pepito Manaloto: Ang Tunay na Kuwento’s funfilled episode on how best friends turn into worst enemies. Kapuso viewers will surely cherish their best friends even more after watching this week’s episode as it shows the importance of having true friends. Pepito (Michael V.) and his best buddy Patrick (John Feir) decide to end their friendship following an argument they had on money issues. When Patrick borrows money from Pepito for

LEFT BEHIND Nicolas Cage, Lea Thompson PG 13

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

THE TRIAL John Lloyd Cruz, Jessy Mendiola, Gretchen Barretto, Richard Gomez R 13

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

ALEXANDER & THE TERRIBLE HORRIBLE NO GOOD VERY BAD DAY

his son’s hospital bills, Pepito will tell him that he is already taking advantage of his kindness, leading to a serious mis-

understanding between the two. Will it really be friendship over for Pepito and Patrick? The top-rating Kapuso

sitcom Pepito Manaloto: Ang Tunay na Kuwento airs every Saturday right after 24 Oras Weekend on GMA 7.

Jennifer Garner, Steve Carell PG 13

R-16

12:25 | 2:20 | 4:15 | 6:10 | 8:05 | 10:00 LFS

DRACULA UNTOLD Luke Evans, Dominic Cooper R 13

12:00 | 2:00 | 4:00 | 6:00 | 8:00 | 10:00 LFS

EDGEDAVAO

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VOL. 7 ISSUE 152 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

WOMEN Outtakes from Maybelle’s upcoming coffee table book.

At a fashion event. Maybelle and her family.

YOGA...FFROM A1 yoga made me appreciate my body and the gradual changes that came along as I developed that inner strength. Losing the weight became just an added bonus.” Maybelle maintains that she is not a fan of starving oneself. Instead, she enjoys the simple pleasures of eating and makes sure she keeps fit by sweating out the extra calories. “I still try other forms of exercise but I always go back to yoga because it really changed and enhanced my overall outlook in life. It became my solace with which I can just walk in, be myself, breathe in and work together with my body. It improved my everyday disposition and how

Teaching in class.

I relate to people. I’d say yoga is a practice on and off the mat when you allow yourself to find peace within you, to know your center. In effect, you also get better at handling the everyday demands in life, particularly for a mother. I realized that yoga eventually transcends and becomes your life discipline. You free yourself from the unnecessary. You learn to let go of tensions in the body, which also causes emotional baggage. You are able to attain emotional and physical balance in all aspects of life, including your eating habits, on and off the mat. It’s a kind of discipline that you bring and stays with you everywhere you go.” With a bit of encouragement from her teachers and classmates, Maybelle pursued a formal training for certification and has been teaching yoga for about 2 years now. She holds classes at North Zen Basic Spaces every Tuesday at 1:30PM, Wednesday at 9:30AM and Saturday at 9:30AM. “As I began to learn more about Yoga, I discovered that the practice continues to evolve as you get older, become wiser and more intuitive. It meets and supports you at whatever stage you are in your life, even when you’re pregnant or in the menopausal phase.” “For new students and first time yogis, I encourage them to go easy

I realized that yoga eventually transcends and becomes your life discipline. You free yourself from the unnecessary. You learn to let go of tensions in the body, which also causes emotional baggage.

themselves. Don’t judge or compare yourself to others. Just get on the mat and breathe as if you’re breathing in life anew. Don’t give up right away. Yoga is possibly one of the most effective workouts because it actually renews your body down to the cellular level. After each session, you’ll feel like you just came from a

body massage as opposed to other sports where in the end you’ll be needing one. You’ll feel more relaxed. Emotionally, you get to reconnect and stay aligned with your core values.” For inquiries on Maybelle’s yoga classes, please call North Zen Basic Spaces at 09477662225 or 2953997.

VOL. 7 ISSUE 152 â&#x20AC;˘ WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

EDGE

EDGEDAVAO

Serving a seamless society

DAVAO

WANTS YOU!

CLASSIFIED 13

ZION

ACCUPRINT PUBLISHING, INC.

Is in need of:

MACHINE OPERATOR (Printing Press)

Qualifications:

Account Executives (3) - 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

- At least high school graduate, not more than 30 years old - Physically and mentally fit - Can handle minor repairs of the machine - Has the ability to be cool under pressure of deadlines and complex projects - Experience of at least one year

Send application letter & resume to: HR Supervisor ZION Accuprint Publishing, Inc. Door 14 Alcrej Building, Quirino Ave., 8000 Davao City, Philippines E-mail: marketing@edgedavao.net zion_publishing@yahoo.com Telefax: (082) 2213601 Website: www.edgedavao.net

14 EDGEDAVAO Sports

VOL. 7 ISSUE 152 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

BIMP-EAGA GOLFEST

FVR leads ceremonial swingers F

ORMER President Fidel V. Ramos will lead the ceremonial tee-off in the second BIMP-EAGA (Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-the Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area) and IMTGT (Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand-Growth Triangle) Friendship Golf Tournament slated on October 24 at the scenic Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club. “FVR has confirmed that he is arriving for the event,” said tournament chairman Reinz Jordan Yamyamin at the SCOOP Session of The Royal Mandaya Hotel Tuesday. Also present were David Yian and David dela Serna, finance head and logistics head, respectively of the organizing JCI Davao. Phoenix Petroleum Phils. Inc. CEO Dennis Uy will also be part of the ceremonial swingers along with Rep. Karlo Nograles. Mayor Rody Duterte has also been invited but has yet to confirm. “We’re expecting more than 200 players coming from five countries and local golfers,” said Yamyamin. The categories are the Class A (0-9 handicap), Class B (10-15), Class C (16-21) and Class D (2227). The scoring system in the individual competition is Stableford. It will

have a shotgun start at 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. The 18-hole golf tournament is open to male and female amateur golfers both local and foreigner ages 18 years old and above. Prizes will be awarded to the over-all gross and net champions, over-all gross and net first runner-up, Class A, B, C and D gross and net champions, gross and net first runner-up; Ladies over-all gross and net champions; and JCI Special Award for BIMP-EAGA delegates. The hole-in-one prizes at stake in all par 3s are one brand new Mitsubishi Mirage G4 car, a Skygo Wizard motorcycle, a 32 inches Samsung Led TV and two units Kawasaki CT100 motorcycles. The event is presented by Mindanao Development Authority, JCI Davao, Kar Asia and Mitsubishi Motors. The major sponsors are Emcor, Motortrade, Golf View Driving Range, Phoenix Petroleum, Penguin, Gov. Arturo Uy, Inquirer Golf, Mobil, Apo View Hotel, Marco Polo Hotel and Rancho Palos Verdes, while the hole sponsors are Apo Water, Aboitiz Power, Oasan, Pagcor, Manolette, Electrical Connector, First Oriental, Kisan Lu Lands, Remerco, Friends of RPVGC, Cong. Karlo Nograles, NEH, Pep-

si, Johnnie Walker and LVL Construction. Registration fee is P2,000 for Filipinos with registration centers at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf & Country Club, Golf View Driving Range and Alcohall – Michael’s Wines and Spirits. For foreign players, they must fill up the online registration form via the BIMP EAGA website – http://eagaimtfair2014.com/friend ship-golf-tournament and click “Submit”. Or, print the downloadable registration form found on this page and send the scanned copy of the accomplished form via email to bimpeagagolf@ gmail.com. Registration Fee: USD 80.00 / player. Payment should be made via band deposit Asia United Bank – Davao JP Laurel Branch: Bank fees to be shouldered by the Player; Account Name: JCI DAVAO, INC.; Account Number: 30101-000433-1; Swift Code: AUBKPHMM. Deadline for local players is on October 11 while for the delegates on Sept. 28. The golf event is part of the 2nd BIMP-EAGA & IMT-GT Trade Fair and Business Leader’s Conference set Oct. 23-26 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier in Davao City.

35,000 fans already confirmed to attend. “This is a huge number by any measure that can only become bigger as we get closer to opening day.” The first two games of the 2014 Philippine Cup, the first of the season’s three conferences, will feature new teams KIA Sorento and Blackwater Elite opening hostilities at 3:00PM, followed by a clash between Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and the Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters in the main event at 5:15PM.

A crowd of 35,000 would set an all-time record for a PBA playdate. The league had its largest attendance record of 24,883 fans which happened during Game 7 of the 2013 Philippine Cup semifinals featuring Barangay Ginebra going up against the San Mig Coffee Super Mixers. The second-largest crowd attendance of the PBA was 23,436 for Game 3 of the 2012 Commissioner’s Cup finals featuring the Alaska Aces and Barangay Ginebra.

PBA record to fall on opening day

IRONMAN. Tophe Eyao of Team Tri SOS on his way to the finish in the recent Philippine Eagle Cup Triathlon Championship at Villa Josefina. Eyao, who recently survived the Langkawi Ironman in Malaysia, finished second in the Olympic Triathlon race.

Davao ready to host Pacquiao fight in 2016

F given a chance, Davao City will be ready to host one of the remaining fights of eight- division world champion Manny Pacquiao in 2016. That came from no less than Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte. Duterte told former Cotabato Gov. Manny Pinol in an interview during the Boxing Revolution II: Clash of the Little Titans held Saturday night at the fully-airconditioned Davao City Recreation Center (formerly Almendras gym) that there is no problem about the city being ready and capable with the right preparations. Duterte said that the city will just have to prepare for it since thousands of boxing fans from all over the world are expected to arrive in Davao to watch the Pacquiao fight.

Duterte and Pinol co-promoted Pacquiao’s fight against Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym of Thailand for the IBF World super bantamweight title held October 26, 2002 at the Rizal Memorial Colleges gym in Davao City. Pacquiao stopped Rakkiatgym by a technical knockout early in the first round. It was only the second time Pacquiao fought in Davao. The first one was when Pacquiao pummeled to submission Ariel Austria by a 6th round TKO on May 30, 1997 at the Almendras gym. “Pero iba na kasi siya (Pacquiao) ngayon,” Pinol said on Pacquiao, who is now a multi-million dollar international boxing superstar. Duterte, however, is optimistic that Davao City can still host another

Pacquiao fight if given the chance in 2016. But Duterte said that more hotels and establishments must be built in preparation for the biggest international boxing event here. The probable venue could be the 65,000 seater dome of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, which now undergoing construction near the Jose Maria College and Davao International Airport. The multi-purpose dome, which is a brainchild of international evangelist Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy is also expected to be finished in 2016. Pacquiao, reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion, is now slated to fight American challenger Chris Algieri on Nov. 23 at the Venetian and Casino in Macau.

F current ticket sales are any indication, then expect a record crowd to flock to the Philippine Arena in Bulacan for the opening of the Philippine Basketball Association’s 40th season this Sunday. “I am happy to report that our opening for the PBA’s 40th season this Sunday is being met with enthusiastic response from our fans,” said PBA Commissioner Chito Salud. “I have been informed that 80 percent of the venue tickets have been sold, translating to some

READY FOR 2016. Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte (left) tells TV anchor Manny Pinol, CEO of Sonshine Sports Management Inc., that Davao City will be ready to host

a Manny Pacquiao fight in 2016 if given a chance. (Contributed photo by Rhea Ilagan/SMNI)

VOL. 7 ISSUE 152 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014

SPORTS 15

EDGEDAVAO

BUMPING BELO. Mac Belo of Far Eastern University handles the basketball against Glenn Khobuntin of National University during the UAAP Season 77 Finals Game 1 at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. (Czeasar Dancel/NPPA Images)

GAME 3: HEART VS. DESIRE NU Bulldogs, FEU Tamaraws settle finals today B

OTH the NU Bulldogs and FEU Tamaraws vow to go all out for the prestigious UAAP Season 77 men’s basketball title on Wednesday when they slug it out in the winnertake-all Game 3 of the finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. This promises to be one o f the

best finals game in the

UAAP in recent years as both squads are very evenly matched. Before Game 2, FEU had defeated NU in all their three encounters during the season, including its 7570 conquest of Game 1 of the finals. The Tamaraws also scored victories over the Bulldogs in the elims – 71-62 in the first round and 74-70 in the second round. B u t Game 2 saw a dif-

fere n t NU team – one that’s determined to finally snap a three-game skid at the hands of FEU. The Bulldogs came out like a house on fire, dominating the Tamaraws on both ends of the court to tie the series with an emphatic BULLDOG PRIDE. Gelo Alolino of the National University reacts after hitting a basket against the Far Eastern University during Game 2 of the UAAP Season 77 62-47 win. Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on 08 October 2014. (Czeasar T h e y Dancel/NPPA Images) proved

why they are the league’s best defensive squad by limiting the up-tempo Tamaraws to just 47 markers, a far cry from their norm of 73.3 ppg. Clearly, NU executed its game plan better in Game 2. And they wanted the win more. Now, both NU and FEU are headed for a much talked about collision for this year’s UAAP plum. And this time, we can expect both camps to give it their all. Here are the key factors for Game 3: Offense versus defense Which team will dictate the tempo? The Tamaraws want a fastpaced encounter, a high-scoring affair. Yes, they are the better offensive team. And they have the more explosive players. Mike Tolomia and Mac Belo have that ability to come out with monster games. And when Roger Pogoy, Achie Inigo and Anthony Hargrove join the fray, the FEU train will be tough to derail. In a shootout, the Tamaraws will likely come out with their hands raised when the smoke clears. But if the Bulldogs repeat their amazing de-

fensive job in Game 2 and turn the game into a more deliberate and controlled contest, NU might be celebrating UAAP championship for only the second time since it first salvaged the crown in 1954. Alolino versus Tolomia Arguably two of the best guards in college basketball today, NU’s Gelo Alolino and FEU’s Tolomia will play a huge role for their respective teams in Game 3. Both former National Youth team campaigners are the recognized leaders of their team. In this final dance, their ability to lead will matter a lot. Both are also expected to take the biggest shots in the game as they had the whole season. Their tasks will be daunting. But both Mike and Gelo have risen to the occasion many times before. Belo versus Aroga/Rosario Belo has been playing the best basketball of his young career. This early, many PBA scouts are already adding him to their wish list for the near future. But it’s not his skills that make heads turn. It’s rather his enthusiasm and unbelievable work ethics that make him the

most valuable forward in Season 77. Belo works like a horse, going hard for rebounds and loose balls. He also shows a lot of energy on defense. And of course, he has also impressed with his scoring ability both inside and outside. That three-point shot from the corner that doomed La Salle’s title defense bid is still very much in the minds of most UAAP fans. Once more, Belo is expected to play a hero’s role in Game 3. But he will have his hands full with the tandem of NU’s Alfred Aroga and Troy Rosario, two of the best big men in the league today. Roga, a 6’7” behemoth from Cameroon, is a strong and quick center-forward that has guard skills. He is a tough defensive assignment for anyone. He can post up, dribble drive and occasionally hit from afar. Rosario is also at the top of his game, showing tremendous improvement from the previous year. Troy can post up and connect with accuracy from the perimeter, and even sometimes from beyond the arc. If both Aroga and Rosario bring their A-games on Wednesday, the Bulldogs will have a huge lift.

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 7 ISSUE 152 • WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2014