Edge Davao 9 Issue 144

VOL. 9 ISSUE 144 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2016

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

THE NATION’S FUTURE. Two boys play “pogs”, a popular card game among children, along an alley in R. Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City yesterday. Davaobased civil society organizations are strongly opposed to a proposed bill of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez entitled “Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibilty Ace” which seeks to lower the minimum age criminal liability from 15 years old to nine (9) years old. Lean Daval Jr.

PREGNANT GIRL IS 15TH BLAST DEATH

By FUNNY PEARL A. GAJUNERA

T

HE Roxas night market blast has claimed another life.

This, as the 21-year-old and six months pregnant Vicenta Depalubos Asperin died at around 10:17 PM Monday night.

Asperin was among the blast victims who were severely wounded, after a splinter entered her nose and reached her brain.

She is the 15th victim to have died due to fatal injuries sustained during the blast.

To recall, more than 60 people were wounded when a powerful explosion ripped through the Roxas night market in the evening of Sept. 2.

Recent investigations

have revealed that two mortar shells were fused into one improvised explosive device (IED), which explained the large number of victims.

According to Asperin’s brother, Gregorio Depalubos, Asperin was declared brain dead by her attending physician at the Metro Davao Medical and Research Center (MDMRC) minutes before she passed away.

“Last night she was declared brain dead by her doctor, [and soon after] she’s no longer breathing,” Depalubos said.

He said the doctors did everything to save her sister, but he knew the fight was over.

Depalubos said he can-

not explain the pain his family is going through right now, particularly with the thought that they lost a beloved family member due to a horrific event.

“I can’t understand the pain that we are feeling, she can’t bear it anymore though she’s a fighter but she can’t go on anymore. Before she was brought to the hospital, she asked my sister to help her, what was happening to her,” he said.

Depalubos said their family wants justice to be served the soonest possible time.

“We want justice for her.

We hope that they got caught, they will pay for what they

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RP-US relations remain solid: PN

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ

T

adlopez0920@gmail.com

HE Philippine Navy (PN) on Tuesday said defense relations between the Philippines and the United States (US) remain “rock solid” despite an earlier pronouncement made by President Duterte regarding the presence of US troops in

Mindanao.

“We take due notice of the pronouncement of the Commander-in-Chief President Rodrigo Duterte expressing his concern of the safety of US Servicemen in Mindanao,” the Philippine Navy said in a statement released to the me-

dia on Tuesday.

The navy also clarified that the President, in the same statement, desired that their American counterparts should be eased from harms way , especially those in Western Mindanao particularly in

EDGEDAVAO Sports Medina wins bronze in Rio Paralympics P15

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 144 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2016

NO GO-SIGNAL. Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella downplays reports that President Rodrigo Duterte gave Indonesian President Joko Widodo the go-signal to execute drug convict Mary Jane Veloso during a press briefing in Malacañand yesterday. ALBERT ALCAIN/PPD

Dad raises water supply problem in Cabantian

By RIA VALDEZ

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OUNCILOR Al Ryan S. Alejandre has finally taken up the cudgels for the people of Brgy. Cabantian.

In his privilege speech during yesterday’s regular Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) session, Alejandre said that more than half of the population of Cabantian have not had sufficient water supply for days now.

“The upper side of Cabantian is the most affected,” the councilor said.

According to Alejandre, Brgy. Captain Nilo Cabiles had sent him a letter regarding the frequent water interruptions in the barangay which has started to affect the people’s way of life.

“This had been a longtime problem,” he said.

Alejandre, who is also a resident of Cabantain, shared his fellow residents’ struggle to look for alternative water sources.

Most people, he said, would have to get their water supply from water reservoirs, or purchase from water from refilling stations.

Alejandre noted that despite the frequent water outages, the residents of Cabantain are still charged the same amount in their water bills.

He said that due to the water shortage, residents are in fact spending twice the amount for their water needs, as they need to buy mineral water for both drinking and cooking.

Alejandre also noted that

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House okays postponement of barangay, SK elections

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HE House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a bill postponing the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (village and youth council) polls on third reading, with 218 affirmative and 4 negative votes.

House Bill No. 3504, authored by several House leaders including Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, seeks to defer both polls from Oct. 31 this year to the fourth Monday of October 2017.

Among the introduced amendments were the conduct of elections every 3 years on the second Monday of May,

prohibition of the appointment of new employees 10 days before election day, and suspending the construction of barangay-funded projects for a period of 10 days before elections.

Meanwhile, the holdover provision which allows incumbent barangay officials to keep their posts will be retained.

The Senate also passed a similar measure on Tuesday through Senate Bill No. 1112, which seeks to postpone the barangay and SK polls from Oct. 31 this year to Oct. 31, 2017. (PNA)

Rotarian, DENR man jailed for falsification A

BUSINESSMAN-CIVIC leader and an employee of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have been found guilty of falsification and were ordered arrested by the Regional Trial Court to serve their prison terms.

Arrested on the strength of a warrant signed on August 18, 2016, by Judge Emmanuel C. Carpio, acting presiding judge of RTC Branch 15, was Edgar Maleriado Rico, a director of a Rotary club in Davao City and resident of SIR Phase 2 in Matina, Davao City.

Rico, 62, was reportedly collared last September 7 while transacting business at

the LBC branch at C.M. Recto Avenue, Davao City.

Rico and his co-accused Crisanto A. Galo, DENR forester IV and designated land evaluation party (LEP) coordinator of DENR Region XI, now retired, were found to have conspired in falsifying a sketch plan to support Rico’s claim of ownership over the land titled in the name of Milagros Villa-Abrille.

A decision penned on March 20, 2006 by Judge Virginia Hofilena-Europa, now retired, indicated that Rico caused the preparation of a sketch plan of Lot 2, Block 1, Psd-66802 and “for the pur-

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Palace clarifiesVeloso’s case

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ adlopez0920@gmail.com

M

ALACAÑANG on Tuesday, Sept. 13, raised important points that clarified the earlier controversy surrounding the case of Mary Jane Veloso, the Filipina who was convicted on drug charges by an Indonesia court and and was sentenced to be executed in the same country.

The Jakarta Post, a national Indonesian newspaper, reported that President Joko Widodo on Monday said that President Duterte had already

given him the “green light” on Mary Jane’s execution.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella, in a press conference yesterday, presented to media important points the Filipino people must consider in Veloso’s case, particularly on the stand of the President on the matter.

First, Abella said that even before the working visit of President Duterte to Indonesia, the execution of Mary Jane Veloso had already been indef-

initely deferred.

Secondly, he explained, the Indonesian government had previously agreed to allow Veloso to testify through deposition at the criminal prosecution of her illegal recruiters in the Philippines.

Thirdly, following the first two considerations, there was no need to make a plea for clemency as there has been no scheduled execution, Abella pointed out.

The presidential spokes-

person also revealed that during the talk of President Duterte and President Widodo in Indonesia, the Philippine president emphasized that he respected the judicial processes of Indonesia.

Abella added that President Duterte said he will accept whatever decision the court will make regarding Veloso’s case, assuming the Filipina would have already testified through deposition in the case

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EDGEDAVAO

Al-ag wants DOH, CHO to fight dengue jointly

VOL. 9 ISSUE 144 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2016

By RIA VALDEZ

I

N light of the rising number of dengue cases in Davao, Councilor Bernard Al-ag has proposed an anti-dengue prevention program to be implemented in the city.

In his privilege speech for the regular Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) session, Alag said the community-based program should be institutionalized through a city ordinance.

He said the program requires the full cooperation between the Department of Health (DOH) and the City Health Office (CHO) to be successful.

According to Al-ag, 4,564 dengue cases have been reported since July 15.

Of this number, 40 deaths have been recorded.

“The number of deaths are higher than any terrorist attack in Davao City,” Al-ag noted.

He pointed out that the number of cases has in fact increased by almost three fold over the same period last year,

with 1850 cases recorded in 2015.

Al-ag stressed the mortality rate for this year is a lot higher compared to last year, which only recorded seven deaths.

In response to the growing number of dengue cases, Alag assured the public the city health office is doing its best to reach out to dengue-prone communities.

CHO personnel are now conducting lectures in the barangays to educate residents on how to avoid mosquito-borne diseases.

Meanwhile, Al-ag stressed the need to raise awareness regarding other mosquito-borne diseases such as the Zika virus, chikungunya, and malaria.

Al-ag said Singapore has already tested positive of the Zika virus, adding that Singapore and Philippines are neighboring countries.

“We are vulnerable to this (Zika),” said Al-ag, who noted that there are two direct flights from the Philippines country to Singapore.

TRAFFIC HAZARD. A pedestrian walks by a huge culvert near Bankerohan Public Market where a road and drainage rehabilitation project is being undertaken which has significantly slowed down vehicles traversing the area especially during peak hours. Lean Daval Jr.

Lowering age of criminal responsibility opposed

NewTFD commander “N to boost security setup

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

N

EWLY-INSTALLED Task Force Davao (TFD) Commander Col. Erwin Neri has vowed to strengthen existing security protocols in Davao City.

According to Neri, he will focus on improving the operational plans and programs of the unit, although he admitted that he still has to familiarize himself with his new post.

Neri was installed last Sept. 8 as the new TFD commander in ceremonies presided by 10th Infantry Division Commander Major General Rafael C. Valencia and Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte-Carpio.

“We intend to enhance some more in order to accomplish our goal,” Neri added.

He emphasized that the TFD main objective is to fight the illegal drug trade, as well as criminality.

“We have already accepted the challenge,” Neri added.

Neri said that his job now is to inspire, lead and motivate his troops to maintain the hgh standards set by Mayor Inday Sara Duterte.

During his appearance at the city council session yesterday, he said, “We made major improvements [in the security protocols] since our mission is

F NEW, 10

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ O to House Bill No. 002.”

This is the united stand of Davao-based civil society organizations (CSOs) against the bill filed by House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez’s titled “Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility Act” which seeks to lower the minimum age of criminal liability from 15 years old to nine years old.

During Monday’s Kapehan sa Davao press forum, Atty.

Romeo Cabarde of the Ateneo Public Interest and Legal Advocacy (APILA) expressed his organization’s strong disapproval of Alvarez’ bill, saying the proposed law was crafted based on the mere “impulse” of the law maker and not grounded by study or research.

HB 002 aims to amend the existing RA 9344 or the “Pangilinan Law” as amended by RA 10630, which sets the age

for criminal liability to fifteen years old.

Cabarde pointed out the passage of HB 002 is no longer necessary, and just “let the RA 9344 be fully-implemented” since it has been newly amended by RA 10630 in 2013.

“Wala pa nato nakita ang tibuok nga resulta sa balaod, naa na pud proposal nga i-ammend. [We have not seen the whole version of the bill, yet there is another proposal for amendment]”, argued Cabarde.

At the same press forum, Bernie Mondragon of Sentro ng Alternatibong Lingap Panligal (SALIGAN), bared his group is “building a constituency” that would present to Congress and the Senate the adverse effects of passing HB 002.

“It would not only affect the children, but the community as well,” stressed Mondrag-

on.

Cabarde agrees with the argument that the problem of juvenile delinquency will not be resolved by the bill’s approval and implementation, since the issue is deeply rooted in the failure of family, mass media, and society in general to address the plight of the youth.

“Children are victims of the adults, of the syndicates who are the ones that must be punished,” said Cabarde.

He then challenged the proponents of the bill to show evidence to support their claim that children as young as nine years old should be charged criminally in court.

Cabarde also cited Alverez’ House Bill No. 001, which aims to restore the death penalty.

If approved, he said, these twin bills – HB 001 and HB 002 - would make a “very deadly

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Yasay says no shift in PH policy with Americans

T HELP PLEASE. A woman and her visually impaired husband brave the scorching heat of the noonday sun, as they ask for alms from passengers of public utility vehicles at the junction of San Pedro Street and E. Quirino Avenue in Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

combination.”

“We might be seeing one of these days children who are being [put] on death row,” Cabarde said.

And even though the children will be put on death row, he cannot stand the idea of seeing these youngsters being incarcerated for the rest of their lives.

Cabarde pointed out that if the bill is passed, it will affect other existing laws such as RA 7610 or The Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, the Labor Law, R.A. No. 9208 or The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, and others laws concerning the rights of children.

Meanwhile, Act for Children President Jaziel Senadjan also urged members of the community step up their pro-

HE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday clarified that there will be no change in policy between the Philippines and the United States despite President Duterte’s pronouncement that elite American forces must leave Mindanao.

DFA Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. made the clarification after some sectors were interpreting his message that the Duterte administration would no longer honor Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the Enhance Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

“We have to be careful, he (President Duterte) said it specifically in the context of wanting to save the lives of these Americans who might be ex-

posing themselves to unnecessary risks but this should not be understood as a statement to mean that there is now a shift in policy,” Yasay said in a chance interview.

He pointed out that President Duterte pronouncement should be viewed in two contexts, “he meant the military and he meant the Americans (civilians) but he said it in the context of the fact that the Abu Sayyaf Group initiative abducting people,” “These are really aimed at foreigners, these are really aimed at whites particularly when they say whites they you know they become very good target and he said that in that context,” he explained.

The DFA chief said that our

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 144 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2016

Stocks, peso close lower L OCAL stocks and the peso ended lower on Tuesday following the previous day’s holiday.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) lost 31.52 points to 7,550.27 from Friday’s 7,518.27.

This bucked Asian shares which recovered from Monday’s downturn after recent statements from United States Federal Reserve officials indicated that a rise on its interest rates will not likely happen for the month of September.

“The local stock market just opened after the Eid al Adha holiday. It just kept track with the Asian markets decline yesterday.

This was a delayed reaction of the market,” said a market analyst.

Mining and oil stocks declined by 78.22 points to 10,637.46, followed by holding firms stocks at

OFF TO SEA. It’s already mid-noon but these fishermen from a community near Sta. Ana wharf carry a small fishing boat out to the sea to catch fish just for their families’ consumption. Lean Daval Jr.

PHITEX 2016 a success amid security concerns

T NGO partners with TESDA on

livelihood project in Davao

By TIZIANA CELINE S. PIATOS

T

HE National Interfaith Council of the Philippines (NICOPHIL) has tied up with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to provide technical support for government-led livelihood projects to be rolled out in Davao City.

NICOPHIL President Benjie Lambajon said during yesterday’s regular City Council ses-

sion that his group has already signed a partnership agreement with TESDA. Under the agreement, NICOPHIL will provide TESDA with information tools, training equipment, instruction materials, trainers and resource persons in line with the government’s agency upcoming programs.

Lambajon said that

NICOPHIL is committed to be a reliable partner of TESDA, particularly in providing technical assistance that would ensure the successful implementation of the latter’s projects in the city.

“We [NICOPHIL] can co-develop the appropriate curriculum for the training courses as to strengthen partnerships with different stakeholders in the community,” he said.

According to Lambajon, they identified Davao City as among their project areas to show their support for President Duterte.

“We have agreed to provide support to the President [Duterte] because we share his vision of developing this country, and to fight [the problem] illegal drugs and eradicate poverty,” Lambajon added.

an de Oro City, Silangan Multipurpose Cooperative (SMPC) of Davao City and Tagum Cooperative (TC) of Tagum City - are set to receive the FOCCUS PLATINUM Achievement Award for meeting the highest standards required of FOCCUS cooperatives.

Obtaining the Platinum level is the ultimate goal of every FOCCUS Cooperative, as it indicates superior member services, business competitiveness and long-term stability.

In a press statement, FOCCUS Group of Cooperatives CEO Rhoda Pillerin said, “The fact that these cooperatives are able to mobilize funds from their members and managed them productively that lead them to breaching the 1 billion peso mark in total assets is a very significant development for the cooperative sector.”

“With FOCCUS’s brand of prudence and discipline, the cooperative is a business model that empowers those that

have little financial capital and even the economically marginalized,” Pillerin added.

Another ten FOCCUS Cooperatives will also receive FOCCUS Gold and Silver Achievement Awards which means these cooperatives have complied with the International Prudential Standards to guarantee safety and soundness of operations and sustainability of their cooperative business.

Five of the cooperatives, aside from having been proven to be a safe haven for members’ investments and money, are also billionaire cooperatives serving a substantial number of member-cooperators.

Topping the list is FICCO with total assets of more than 9 Billion pesos already followed by Tagum Cooperative with now more than 4 Billion pesos strong.

Three other cooperatives, AMPC, NICO and USPD-SCC have already breached the 1 Billion Pesos mark as of 2016.

Model Mindanao cooperatives take th center stage in 10 FOCCUS Awards

By JERMAINE L. DELA CRUZ

M

EMBERS of the Model Cooperative Network will gather for the 10th FOCCUS Awards on Sept.

17 in Davao City to recognize top-performing cooperatives and renew the FOCCUS (Finance Organization Achieving Certified Credit Union Standard) Brand for Certified FOCCUS Cooperatives.

Guesting in Monday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw media forum, Emmanuel Joseph B. Sumatra of Model Cooperative network identified the certified FOCCUS cooperatives which have achieved and maintained the International Prudential Standards for safe, sound and sustainable cooperative business organizations.

Included in the list of awardees are the Agdao Multipurpose Cooperative (AMPC) of Davao City, BCS Credit Cooperative (BCS-CC)of Bansalan, Davao del Sur, CEV Credit Cooperative (CEV-CC) of Tagbilaran City, Bohol, First Com-

munity Cooperative (FICCO) of Cagayan de Oro City, Kapalong Cooperative (KC) of Kapalong, Davao del Norte, Maragusan Growers Multipurpose Cooperative (MAGROW) of Maragusan, Compostela Valley, Nabunturan Integrated Cooperative (NICO) of Nabunturan, Compostela Valley, Panabo Multipurpose Cooperative (PMPC) of Panabo City, Davao del Norte, Pantukan Chess Club Cooperative (PCCC) of Pantukan, Compostela Valley, Samal Island Multipurpose Cooperative (SIMC) of the Island Garden City of Samal, Silangan Multipurpose Cooperative (SMPC) of Davao City, Tagum Cooperative (TC) of Tagum City and USPD Savings and Credit Cooperative (USPD – SCC) of Digos, Davao del Sur. The FOCCUS Awards is held every three years.

For this award season, three of the FOCCUS Cooperatives - the First Community Cooperative (FICCO) of Cagay-

7,954.32 lower by 38.56 points.

Trade turnover was valued at P8.59 billion with 3.53 billion shares changing hands.

Decliners outpaced advancers, 131 to 65, with 47 shares remain unchanged.

“The local stock market just opened after the Eid al Adha holiday. It just kept track with the Asian markets decline yesterday.

This was a delayed reaction of the market,” according to a market analyst.

Federal Reserve Governor Lael Brainer stated that the Fed prefers to see an increase in US consumer spending and gains in employment before an increase in interest rates.

Trading analysts have cited the likelihood of a hike in US Fed rates as an important factor that could affect the market within the short term. (PNA)

HE annual Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) 2016 gathered a huge number of participants despite security-related concerns following the Sept. 2 bombing incident in Davao City.

A total of 201 international buyers from 35 countries and 198 local sellers from 132 companies across the Philippines came for a series of business-to-business meetings at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City held from Sept. 4 to 6, 2016.

“In the wake of upheavals, discord, uncertainties, and safety concerns, the love of travel and the new experiences it brings far outweighs the fear and helplessness these random, senseless acts can bring,” Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo was quoted as saying at the PHITEX dinner reception last Monday.

Citing the World Travel and Tourism Council’s 2016 Economic Impact Report, Sec. Teo noted that global tourism generated 7.2 million jobs and contributed US$ 7.2 trillion to global gross domestic product in 2015.

She emphasized tourism’s strong “potential of bringing cultures and people together” and “build bridges of peace.”

Closer to home, seven buy-

ers from Indonesia, one from Thailand, Switzerland and the US, and three members of the international media are now in Davao City as part of their post-tour activities in the country, according to the tourism chief.

“The Department of Tourism (DOT) believes that we all have an equal stake in advancing peace in the country. We believe that one way of easing tension in Mindanao is to give importance to the region as one of the top tourist destinations where priority action should be given in designing and implementing product development programs. This initiative is based on the belief that cultural dialogue, through tourism, has a key role to play in the peacemaking process,” Secretary Teo emphasized.

“We want to show our friends from abroad that while we sympathize with those who suffered loss and injury in the tragic explosion and echo the nation’s outrage for the senseless act that happened in Davao City recently, life must go on for the people. And this shows that the city remains a safe place for visitors and residents alike. In fact, DOT Mindanao is now working on Davao-Manado flights and chartered Xiamen flights to

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Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo speaking before international buyers and local sellers at the PHITEX 2016 dinner reception courtesy of Narjay Calinao of TPB

ECONOMY 7

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 144 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2016

PHL posts 94.9% annual hike in FDIs S

OLID growth and sustained improvement of Philippines’ fundamentals continue to back investors’ confidence resulting to a 94.9 percent rise of foreign direct investments (FDIs) to the country in the first half of 2016.

Data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Tuesday showed that FDIs registered net inflow amounting to USD4.2 billion as of last June as against the USD2.2 billion of the same period in 2015.

Equity inflows, net of reinvested earnings, otherwise known as net equity capital grew by 112 percent to USD1.45 billion compared to end-June 2015’s USD682 million.

Investments by foreign companies on debt instruments issued by their affiliates during the six-month period rose 118 percent to USD2.36 billion from year-ago’s USD1.08 billion.

The central bank said the bulk of these investments came from Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, United States and Taiwan and were placed in financial and insurance, real estate, manufacturing, con-

struction, and accommodation and food service-related businesses.

“This reflected investors’ confidence in the Philippine economy on the back of sound macroeconomic fundamentals and robust growth,” the central bank said.

However, volatilities and issues hounding the global economy in recent months resulted to lower fiigures for June 2016 alone, with net FDI inflow registering a 40.9 percent decline to USD238 million.

Equity capital posted a net outflow of USD5 million after the withdrawals of USD41 million surpassed the USD36 million inflows.

On the other hand, debt instrument investments last June amounted to USD182 million, up from the USD22 million same period last year.

Bulk of the investments for the month came from Japan, United States, Singapore, Hong Kong and China and were placed in real estate, electricity, gas, steam and airconditioning supply; information and communication; wholesale and retail trade and manufacturing activities. (PNA)

REAL ESTATE BOOM. Two construction workers peek from a window of one of the buildings of Abreeza Place Condominiums at Abreeza Mall complex in Davao City yesterday. Real estate development business is still experiencing

Rody wants lands distributed directly to farmer-beneficiaries

PDIC raises P9.9-M from sale of banks P T

HE Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. (PDIC) has raised a total of P9.9 million from the sale of agricultural, commercial and residential properties in the provinces of Benguet, Cagayan, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, La Union, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon and Southern Leyte.

The assets involved 18 corporate assets with an aggregate value of P4.2 million and nine closed banks’ assets with a combined value of P5.7 million, yielding a premium of P1.3

an upswing as more and more big developers from Manila and abroad plan to expand its portfolio in the city. Lean Daval Jr.

By ALEXANDER D. LOPEZ adlopez0920@gmail.com

million against the aggregate minimum disposal price of P5.7 million.

Proceeds from the sale of properties will be infused to the pool of the closed banks for payment to uninsured depositors and other depositors in accordance with the rules on concurrence and preference of credits. Proceeds from the sale of corporate assets are added to PDIC’s Deposit Insurance Fund.

The public bidding was conducted last Aug. 25 at the PDIC Office in Makati City. (PNA)

RESIDENT Duterte expressed his full support to the agrarian reform program of the government and that he wants lands to be distributed directly to the qualified farmer-beneficiaries during his administration.

This was emphasized by Secretary Rafael Mariano of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) as he presented to the media in a press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday the results of the newly-concluded Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) meeting that was attended by the President

on Monday.

“The President wants DAR to take the lead in addressing issues in agrarian reform and wants PARC to be more responsive to the issues by imposing timelines,” Mariano said.

The DAR secretary added that President Duterte also reiterated his plans to have the irrigation services in the country free for the farmers; the return of the fund of coco levy to coconut farmers; and had given instruction to the Land Bank of the Philippines to provide more assistance to

among others.

In a courtesy call with Davao Oriental Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang at the Provincial Capitol, Ratna Tiruveedula, owner of the company, said the opening of the business will provide direct and indirect employment which will help the province address the employment gap in the province.

Carmelo Laburada, head of

the Center for Promotion on Investments and Trade (CPOINT) said the resulting job generation will raise the people’s purchasing power, thereby increasing the money that circulates locally. In addition, this new investment will also support the province’s local revenue generation.

Expecting future expansion for the business, the Oriental Pro-

ductos Inc., which is also involved in social work, plans to provide incentives to local communities by putting up community infrastructure facilities such as potable water supplies, and providing livelihood trainings and programs to farmers’ and women’s associations.

Tiruveedula said that helping communities is their way of doing business, noting that their company is serious on its corporate social responsibility.

Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries or ARBs. “One of the important resolutions issued by PARC is for the DAR to distribute the remaining land acquisition and distribution balance that still runs to more than 621,000 hectares, Mariano said.

He added the number of hectares to be distributed is expected to increase if the agricultural lands of government-owned and controlled corporations, state colleges and universities, government financial institutions and other interties turn over the agricul-

tural lands under their possessions, pursuant to Executive Order No. 407, as amended by Executive Order No. 448.

PARC also agreed to impose a two-year moratorium on conversion of agricultural lands.

Mariano also told reporters that DAR’s mandate under the administration of President Duterte is for the continuing open dialogue and consultation with all the stakeholders in agrarian reform especially with the farmers.

He said DAR is currently

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Coconut processing poised to create 1,000 jobs in DavOr PHunemployment

A

COCONUT processing company is set to provide at least 1,000 jobs for the residents of Mati by next year.

The Oriental Productos Inc., a company run by investors from India, is set to establish a coconut processing plant in the city, bringing with it the promise of employment to farmers, jobless laborers, and women’s organizations,

Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang (center) together with the owners of the Oriental Productos Inc.: Mr. Ratna Tiruveedula (2nd from left) and his wife (far left) and company CEO Bobby Tiruveedula. Joining them is CPOINT Head Carmelo Laburada

THE BUSINESS The Oriental Productos Inc., which recently located itself in the City of Mati has obtained a three-hectare property through lease contract in the agro-industrial area of Barangay Don Martin Marundan, where the company is set to initially start its venture.

The processing plant ,which has the initial capacity to process at least 100,000 nuts a day, will be doubled in the ensuing months, said Tiruveedula, making the plant highly efficient and sustainable.

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rate drops -- PSA A

JAPANESE-BASED financial services group has attributed the sustained drop in the country’s unemployment rate to the continued improvement of the Philippines’ economic fundamentals, and not just election spending.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Sept. 9 reported a drop in the country’s unemployment rate to 5.4 percent in July 2016 from the year-ago’s 6.5 percent.

During the same period, employment rate rose to 94.6 percent as against the 93.5 percent in July 2015.

Nomura, in a research note issued Sept. 13, said the unemployment rate posted a big drop from the 6.1 percent last April.

“This, we believe, reflects not just election-related effects, but is a continuation of an unemployment downtrend in recent years due to sustained economic growth, which is becoming increasingly investment-led,” it said.

The research note said growth in employment is broad-based since the number of those belonging to the manufacturing sector has risen, along with those from the construction and services sectors.

The PSA data show that based on the three broad sectors, workers from the services sector remain the majority as they account for 55.3 percent of the total. They are followed by those from the agriculture sector, 26.9 percent, and industry, 17.8 percent. (PNA)

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 144 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2016

EDITORIAL

H

Euthanasia: Facing death eye to eye

ERE is a touching story of Belgian Paralympian Marieke Vervoort, who suffers from an incurable degenerative muscle disease.

The wheelchair racer, who won a silver medal on Saturday in Rio has signed euthanasia papers in 2008 and it is just a matter of her decision when to pull the plug.

She had been reported she might take her life after Rio, but after winning a silver medal she rejected the speculation. She said she was “still enjoying every little moment”.

“When the moment comes when I have more bad days than good days, then I have my euthanasia papers, but the time is not there yet,” she told journalists in Rio. Euthanasia or mercy killing is legal in Belgium. The 37-year-old suffers from a degenerative muscle disease that causes constant pain, seizures, paralysis in her legs and leaves her barely able to

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sleep.

She was just 14 when diagnosed with the disease and gradually her life became “a constant battle”. Despite her condition, she achieved a distinguished career in wheelchair racing, winning gold and silver medals in the 2012 London Olympics, and now a silver medal in Rio. She knew her victories in the track are the only thing that keeps her from finally saying it’s over. The training is taking its toll on her frail body and she decided this was her last Paralympics. Thus, her Rio achievement bitter-sweet.

On one hand, it is a celebration for winning a silver medal and on the other hand, the time to finally say goodbye to sports, and eventually, this life.

Here’s to a courageous woman who valued her life and made it worthwhile despite the impending end.

AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

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EDGEDAVAO

Y

OU have a deadline to beat. So you work too hard. To compensate for the lost energy, you eat too much. Of course, you don’t have time to exercise. In addition, you don’t have enough sleep.

Occurrences like this happen all the time. In fact, you have been doing this thing for more than two years now. So, don’t be surprised if one of these days you will acquire what Hollywood actor Tom Hanks has already -- type 2diabetes.

As a race, Filipinos are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to Dr. Araceli Panelo, board chairman of the Institute for Studies on Diabetes Foundation Inc. “The westernized Filipino diet and sedentary lifestyle contribute to the increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the country,” she was quoted as saying.

Aside from the unhealthy eating habits, the risk of diabetes is also increasing among Filipinos “because we don’t walk anymore,” Dr. Panelo added.

“Diabetes, long considered a disease of minor significance to world health, is now taking its place as one of the main threats to human health in the 21st century,” deplored Prof. Paul Zimmet, director of the International Diabetes Institute (IDI). “The past three decades have seen an explosive increase in the number of people with diabetes worldwide.”

While the diabetic statistics in the Philippines is relatively low compared to industrialized countries, the drastic increase is still alarming. While the country is considered a hotspot for its fast vanishing biological diversity, it is becoming another hotspot for diabetes cases.

I

T was in 1902 when the Americans first introduced the concept of ice production in Manila with the construction of the Insular Ice and Cold Storage Plant, managed by San Miguel Brewery, Inc. The intent behind the decision was to ‘provide supplies comfort’ to US troops.”

In Davao, the entry of ice plants was inspired by numerous factors. With the rise of abaca plantations, mainly owned by foreigners, and the introduction of electricity, landowners and traders sought out facilities that could lessen the spoilage of fresh marine products. A resultof this demand was the sprouting of ice plants.

Historically, half of the ice plants in the city prior to the war were owned by Japanese nationals. An unnamed ice plant of note, constructed within the city premises, relied for its power supply from Davao Light & Power during daylight hours when there was extra generation.

The Mintal Ice Plant operated by Ohta Plantation was one of bigger ice plants in the suburbia.

In the fishery sector, the most notable supplier of refrigeration compressors was Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd., which had a branch in Davao. The firm, as a marine product procurement company, was founded in 1911 and is the second largest business of its kind in Japan today.

In prewar period, the licensing of ice plants was authorized by the Division of Cold Stores and Ice Plant, which was under the Department of Commerce and Communications.

It was not until after the war that ice plants owned by local businessmen started to sprout in Davao City and nearby areas. In 1949, a

VOL. 9 ISSUE 144 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2016

Diabetes debacle

VANTAGE POINTS

9

That’s beTHINK ON THESE! cause the prevalence rate of diabetes among Filipinos is fast growing. Currently, an estimated 8.2 million people are having diabetes (with 4 million diagnosed Henrylito D. Tacio cases and anhenrytacio@gmail.com other 4.2 million that are undiagnosed). About 500 Filipinos are added to the demographic daily.

“It is alarming because of the fact that we may not be in the Top 10, but we are in the Top 15. We are poised to be in the Top 10 if we don’t change the way our diabetes is increasing here in the Philippines,” Dr. Ma. Cecille Anonuevo-Cruz, a fellow with Philippine Society of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism (PSEDM), was quoted as saying a few years back.

Actually, there are two forms of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes (also known as insulin-dependent diabetes) is caused by a reduction in the level of insulin. The body’s immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, causing insulin deficiency. As a result, individuals with this type of diabetes need regular insulin injections to maintain glucose control.

In contrast, type 2 diabetes (also called as non-insulin-dependent diabetes) arises in the first instance not because there is a lack of in-

sulin, but because the body fails to respond to circulating insulin effectively. This condition is known as insulin resistance. For this reason, newly diagnosed individuals do not require insulin injections.

“If you look at the spread of the scourge around the world, Type 2 diabetes occurs as a country advances technologically, when people come out of the fields to sit behind desks,” notes Dr. Irwin Brodsky, director of the Diabetes Treatment Program at the University of Illinois in Chicago.

If you think diabetes happens among adults only, think again. When he was still in kindergarten, Michael used to drink soft drink for breakfast. During lunch time, he ate his favorite pork adobowith four plates of rice and gulped orange juice loaded with sugar. “I gorged myself with so much food but I never felt full,” he recalled.

Michael’s parents never took notice of his eating behavior; they thought it was normal.

Unknowingly, the weight of their son steadily climbed. By the time he turned 10, Michael weighed 90 kilograms. He was overweight for his age.

In the Philippines, 1.8 percent of boys and 0.8 percent of girls between the ages of six and ten are obese.

At one time, when Michael got sick, he was brought to the hospital. His parents were surprised to know that their son was suffering from a debilitating disease called diabetes. “But he is too young to have such kind of disease,” the mother insisted.

Studies have shown that most children diagnosed of having diabetes eat too much

high-calorie junk food. “Across the globe, more people are consuming high-fat foods that are heavily processed and low in fiber,” Brussels-based International Diabetes Foundation says. “Increasingly, families are eating food prepared outside the home.”

In addition, children are no longer playing outside their home the way children did in the past. An International Life Sciences Institute of Southeast Asia study of 1,208 Filipino urban children aged eight to ten found that on average they spent 106 minutes a day watching television, but only 30 to 37 minutes playing outdoor games.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says diabetes has become one of the major causes of premature illness and death in most countries, mainly through the increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

“Because of its chronic nature, the severity of its complications and the means required to control them, diabetes is a costly disease, not only for the affected individual and his/her family, but also for the health authorities,” the United Nations health agency says.

Direct costs to individual s and their families include medical care, drugs, insulin and other supplies. Patients may also have to bear other personal costs, such as increased payments for health, life and automobile insurance.

But “diabetes doesn’t need to be a life sentence of ill health,” writes Lam Lye Ching in an article which appeared in Reader’s Digest. “With prompt diagnosis, simple lifestyle adjustments and, if necessary, medication, people with diabetes can expect to have a long and productive life.”

certificate of FAST BACKWARD public convenience (CPC) was issued by the Public Service Commission (PSC), the new regulatory agency, to Pedro M. Lat, co-owner of the prewar Antonio V. Figueroa Davao Times (now Mindanao Times) and Luciano Beltran, a migrant from San Marcelino, Zambales. They named their informal partnership Lat & Beltran.

The monopoly of the partnership would be contested in later years by Cipriano Lanuza, an ice cream business owner with an ice-making machine of his own, who applied for a certiorari of public conveyance to operate a one-ton ice-plant in the city. This was opposed by Lat & Beltran, claiming the “service [it was providing] was adequate and sufficient to fill the public need and that to allow another plant to operate would only result in ruinous and wasteful competition.”

Three of the witnesses presented by the applicant before the commission were Dominador Dima-ano (ice cream maker), Vicente Yngayo (soft drinks store owner) and Avelina Garin (presumably another store owner). Dima-ano testified that when he ran out of ice he would run to the oppositors’ facility which, on some occasions failed to deliver his order. But the court doubted his testimony because the witness

owned an ice-making machine.

Yngayo, meanwhile, focused his testimony on the failure of the ice plant to deliver the ice for his soft-drinks store. For Garin, she complained that the oppositors’ delivery truck “does not pass by her street and that the plant of the oppositor is too distant for those who want to buy ice in small quantities.”

But the oppositors had enough proof to contest the application. First, Lat & Beltran had two operating ice plants, one in Santa Ana (beside the defunct Avenue Theatre), with a capacity of 12 tons and another facility at Bolton Street (now Paciano Bangoy), with a 10-ton capacity.

Aside from the two facilities, the partnership also owned a 2.5-ton ice plant in Digos City and another 2-ton facility in Magugpo (now Tagum City).

According to the PSC, “these plants are operated continuously except on days when the brine tanks are full of ice and the entire authorized production is available; that it also has ice storage rooms where it keeps ice that is not sold; that aside from its delivery trucks it also sells ice from its Bolton plant and has a place for dispensing ice at Sta. Ana where a man is always on duty to sell ice to customers, and that there has been no occasion where the production of its plants was exhausted in one day so that there was no ice available for distribution.”

Lanuza, with more contentions added to his application, elevated the case to the Supreme Court for review. On July 31, 1957, in case G.R. L-9555, the high tribunal affirmed the PSC decision, citing (i) the ice supply produced by Lat & Beltran was more than sufficient given that even during dry season only about half of its pro-

duction was sold; and (ii) the issue of delivery was porous because the oppositors had four ice plants in different locations.

Lat’s ice-making monopoly in Davao region (this time with his wife Angeles as partner) would again be tested. On Feb. 7, 1957, Romulo V. Ramos filed an application with the PSC (Case No. 103908) for the issuance of a certificate of public convenience “to install, operate and maintain” a Digos-based ice plant with a daily production capacity of 5 tons that would sell and distribute ice” in Digos and the towns of Sta. Cruz, Bansalan, Hagonoy, Padada and Malalag.

On Feb. 19, 1957, couples Pedro Lat and Angeles Carriedo filed an application (Case No. 104384) to increase the daily production of their ice plant in Digos (now a city) from two to seven tons, arguing the competitive plan of Ramos would result in “ruinous competition,” which again the PSC ruled in favor of the oppositors.

The Lats’ application to increase the capacity of plants covered the distribution of ice in the towns of Digos, Sta. Cruz, Limonso, Padada, and Malalag.

In questioning the findings of the commission, Ramos appealed to the Supreme Court “by way of the instant petitions for certiorari in the two cases (G.R. L-14476 and G.R. L-15773), questioning the findings of the Commission,” citing monopoly as one of the reasons.

The high tribunal, in its May 23, 1960 ruling, however, affirmed the PSC decision, saying: “Under the circumstances, we perceive no reason to disturb the finding of the Commission in these cases and substitute the same with one of our own.”

Ice plant ‘wars’

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 144 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2016

PREGNANT... FROM 1 have done, my younger sister is innocent, she’s pregnant!

They really need to pay, I hope they got caught immediately l,” he added.

Asperin’s husband, John Lord was in Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province when

the explosion happened.

It took a while before John Lord found out that his wife was among the blast victims and was in a coma.

The couple got married last March and was expecting their first baby - a girl.

pose of claiming ownership over the land, did then and there, willfully, unlawfully and feloniously make untruthful statements in a narration of facts..”

In their narration of facts, the duo alleged in the sketch plan that the lot is classified as alienable and disposable public land as of March 7, 2001 which “is an absolute falsehood because in truth and in fact, the land was already covered by Transfer Certificate of Title No. 19416 issued on July 21, 1967 by the Office of the Register of Deeds of Davao City in the name of Milagros Villa-Abrille..”

It was Ms Villa-Abrille who initiated the criminal case (No. 50,590-02) against Rico and Galo as private complainant.

For the crime, Rico was sentenced to suffer an imprisonment of from two months and one day of arresto mayor medium as minimum to two years, four months and one day of prison correccional medium as maximum.

At the same time, Galo was meted a sentence of imprisonment of from six months and one day of prison correccional minimum to four years, two months and one day of prison correccional maximum as maximum.

In her 10-page decision on the falsification case, Judge Europa indicated that Rico first entered into a contract of lease with Ms Villa-Abrille on August 12, 1999 over the property.

On November 14, 2000, Rico caused to be prepared for him by engineer Bernardo C. Magno a sketch plan of Lot 2, Blk 1, Psd 66802.

On January 9, 2001, Rico filed a free patent application over a portion of Lot 379 Cad No. 102 of Barangay Matina, Davao City with an area of 11,015 square meters ( or a little more than one hectare).

On March 7, 2001, Rico sent a letter to Ms Villa Abrille informing her that he is terminating and cancelling their lease contract due to bad business climate and his discovery that that the land covered by the contract is a public and alienable land.

Also on March 7, 2001, upon the request of Rico and payment of certification fee, his co-accused Galo, as LEP coordinator of DENR XI, certified that as of August 6, 1923, the lots

in question were certified as alienable or disposable per LC Map No. 47 and that the same lots (2A and 2B) are still classified as alienable and disposable public land up to that date (March 7,2001).

In finding Rico and Galo guilty, the court noted that the entries on the sketch were false.

According to the prosecution, the entries were false because the property is already covered by Transfer Certificate of Title No. 19416 which is registered in the name of Milagros Villa-Abrille and which is a derivative title of Original Certificate of Title No. 5609 registered in the name of her predecessor-in-interest.

The court said that “Rico’s claim that the property he occupies is not the same property covered by TCT No. 19416 is belied by the documentary evidence as well as by his own testimony.” During his testimony, Rico admitted that he entered upon the property that he is occupying on the basis of the Contract of Lease between him and the private complaint.

“It is basic under the rules of evidence that there is a conclusive presumption that a ‘tenant is not permitted to deny the title of his landlord at the time of the commencement of the relation of landlord and tenant’ between them,” the court said.

“In other words, no matter how much accused Rico claim otherwise, he is bound by law to the conclusion that the property he occupies is owned by private complainant, Milagros Villa Abrille,” the court added.

On the other hand, the court likewise rejected Galo’s claim that he was ignorant of the circumstances of the derivative titles of OCT 5609, ”including the property subject of this case. Galo’s defense is belied by his own colleagues in the DENR who testified against him in the criminal case.

Ms Villa Abrille presented six witnesses, while Rico presented three (himself, Galo and a certain engineer Florencio Sasel).

Villa Abrille’s witnesses included Ms Jorlyn Paralisan, branch clerk of RTC Branch 17, Rogelio Cantuba and Bonifacio Mabanta of DENR XI and former DENR employees engineer Artemio Apurada and Atty. Pedro Romero. TA

Constitution does not allow permanent American troops because “that will be an infringement on our sovereignty rights but there are certainly advisers, there are small groups of military personnel who are simply there for the purposes of sharing information pro-

viding technical assistance in whatever joint operations we may have in that area.”

“I would like to assure the Filipino people that there is no shift insofar as our policy is concerned with respect to our friendship with the Americans,” he emphasized. (PNA)

Rotarian... FROM 2

Yasay... FROM 4

ROAD WIDENING. A hilly portion along the Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur is being carved out to give way to a road widening project to solve the decades-old problem of traffic congestion in the area. Lean Daval Jr.

RP-US... FROM 1

the areas of Zamboanga, Basilan and Sulu where there are intensified military operations against terrorists.

“The recent pronouncement will affect only a token number of American Servicemen who are confined mainly in Zamboanga City. They provide technical assistance and training to their Filipino counterparts in combatting terrorism in the Philippines.

The number has dwindled following the deactivation and pullout of JSOTF-P several years ago,” the navy added.

The navy statement added that it has yet to receive any specific directive as to how the President’s pronouncement will be effected.

“We understand that the implementation of the said pronouncement is the subject of deliberations by concerned departments like DND and DFA to mention some,” the statement further said.

The navy also assured the Filipino people of the good working relations in terms of defense between the Philippines and the US, and that a line up military-related activities set for this year will continue without interruption.

“Consultative planning activities for 2017 and beyond likewise remain on track,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, Malacañang also clarified the statement of President Duterte on the presence of US troops in Mindanao.

“Basically, what the President was sharing was the backgrounder in his new chartered course in his independent foreign policy,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella told reporters in a press briefing in Malacañang on Tuesday.

Abella pointed out the President was presenting the context of why there was conflict in Mindanao and that Muslims have long nursed historical and cultural wounds which have been unaddressed to this day.

Such historical transgressions have been held in the collective memory of Muslims in which they see the Americans as the perpetrators, Abella added.

“The Philippines having ties with the Americans are therefore also suspect in their intentions regarding peace in Mindanao,” the President’s spokesman said.

“The President was also referring to the fact that in Mindanao, especially in the Muslim areas their lives (American troopers) are in danger as they can be kidnapped or shot. This is part of the reason why he said [they need] go,” he added.

Abella said the statement of the President was an injunction or a warning and there is no timeline set as to when the American forces have to leave Mindanao.

“There is no timeline right now,” he said.

The training was facilitated by Gender Equality (GE) advocates led by Chairperson Monica Salido, together with MASS-SPECC Chairperson Evelia Sator, MCN Chairperson Fe Adlawan, Directors Miriam Baloyo and Eduard Amoguis, and General Manager Juris Perez.

The GST sought to deepen the youth’s understanding on Tagum Coop’s GE journey, including the role of women and men through role playing and reporting.

According to Youth Program Coordinator Jenalyn Rivera, the learning sessions were designed to empower young participants as part

of Tagum Coop’s Succession Planning, since “they (youth) will lead Tagum Coop in the next generation”.

She also mentioned several youth activities organized by the cooperative this year, including the Hataw sa Saya Ngayong Balik Eskwela held last July and August which provided an avenue for the youth to develop their potential.

The TC Youth Laboratory Cooperative, under the Guardianship of Tagum Coop, now has more than 50,000 members with more than P70 Million in cumulative savings deposits across its 11 branches.

(Tagum Cooperative)

Tagum... FROM 11

Dad... FROM 2

the water quality in Cabantian is very poor and not even potable.

The councilor has already

asked the city government of Davao and the Davao City and the Davao City Water District (DCWD) to look into the issue.

against her illegal recruiters.

“And these statements [by the President] were interpreted as a green light by the foreign press,” Abella said.

He added that when the Indonesian Supreme Court decides to act on the execution, then that would be the time to present the compelling evidence on Veloso’s innocence as a justification for a plea of clemency.

“As in all things, worthwhile matters are achieved by going through the process,” Abella underscored.

In April 2010, Veloso was arrested in Indonesia for smuggling 2.6 kilograms of heroin in a suitcase. She maintained her innocence in the entirety of her trial.

She was scheduled to be executed in October of the same year, but was spared due to a moratorium on capital punishment enacted by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

After the election to presidency of Joko Widodo, Veloso’s execution was again re-scheduled on January 2015.

The date of execution was

again moved to April 29, 2015 where Veloso would be executed with the so-called Bali Nine duo from Australia; Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran; Brazilian Rodrigo Gularte; an Indonesian and four Nigerians.

Public outcry and protests then started to mushroom in the country and other parts of the world on the execution of Veloso and other sentenced prisoners.

On April 29, the rest of the sentenced prisoners were executed except for Veloso.

The Indonesian government said Veloso was spared to allow her to act as a witness in the trial of her alleged human trafficker identified as Maria Kristina Sergio, together with her live-in partner Julius Lacanilao and another personality of an African descent.

Sergio, who already surrendered to authorities, and the other two are currently facing charges of human trafficking, illegal recruiting and fraud.

It is not yet been determined when Veloso will testify during the trial of her alleged illegal recruiters.

test against HB 002, as he read the contents of a petition paper drafted by the group together with 23 barangay-based child and youth organizations last Aug 29.

A multi-sectoral forum will be held on Sept. 16 at the Ateneo de Davao Community Center to further discuss multi-sectoral efforts to oppose the passage of HB 002.

to prevent and defend Davao City and its people from local and foreign terrorist organizations.”

“The TFD has been ready all the time, and we have promised to Mayor [Duterte-Carpio] that we will always do the basic function on counter-terrorism,” he added.

Neri noted the challenge confronting his unit is huge, but said their job will be easier with the help of other govern-

ment agencies and law enforcement agencies.

“We will also take the bomb jokes seriously as it is against the law,” he said.

Neri was assigned in Taguig, Manila, before he was installed as TFD commander.

The TFD was created by Malacañang after the 2003 bombings of the Francisco Bangoy International Airport and the Sasa Wharf in Davao City.

Palace... FROM 2

Lowering... FROM 4 New... FROM 4

INdulge!

VOL. 9 ISSUE 144 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2016

EDGEDAVAO WOMEN

GOALS, PLANS AND PURPOSES END UP ROTTEN, LIKE EGGS, IF THEY’RE NOT CRACKED OPEN AND COOKED. This is a truism - both in life and business.

Mompreneurs Michelle Robin and Chiqk Ybañez are two selfmade individuals who fashioned – and built their careers accord ing to their passions and dreams.

Michelle, whose years of experience as TV host made her a household name, decided to try to try her hand at culinary arts, seasoning her career with flavorful adventures.

From savory to sweet, Michelle’s concoctions have sparked the interest of the general public and tickled taste buds of discerning ones, which eventually, earned her honor and recognition from big names in the world of food and beverage.

Chiqk Ybañez has reinvented herself many times over. Even while finishing her degree in architecture, Chiqk has already established her own business, starting with grab-and-go sips and eats. At a young age, she has mastered the art of research, development and execution. With her business acumen and reception to change and demand, she continues to grow her brand and offer new services which now include fresh blooms.

The two only knew of each other through casual conversations on social media, as Michelle ordered her supply of coldpressed juices from Green Dare, owned by Chiqk.

These small chats eventually paved the way for an opp or t u n it y for them to collaborate, just as Chiqk was starting a new flower business called Eufloria. At this point, Michelle was making headlines for her eyecatching cakes bedecked with decadent buttercream flowers. The idea of combining flora and flour sprung, and the plan of a joint venture was set in motion. Eufloria made its timely debut during Valentines season, in which Chiqk also introduced boxed blooms artfully put together with cupcakes topped with buttercream succulents and flowers created by Michelle.

The novelty of these boxed treats was warmly welcomed and supported by the community and this success gave the two ladies the courage to dream bigger.

Flower Café + Cupcakery Their initial objective was to open a one stop shop where anyone can purchase flowers and baked goods, all styled up and ready for gift giving. Later on, they realized the greater potential of offering more than just over-the-counter services. Why not a full-blown dining and take out place? After all, Michelle already has skills to whip up savory dishes and re-

freshments to add to their selection of desserts.

Yolks! is an original restaurant and store concept that’s unique to Davao. Sharing a common love for flowers, Michelle and Chiqk now have their own space to showcase their passion and skills: Michelle with her expertise in cooking and baking, and Chiqk with her floral aesthetics.

“Yolks! is the first of its kind in the region,” beams Chiqk. “It is a premium café offering a wide variety of flower arrangements and posies, as well as delicious flower pastries and plated goodness, either for here or to go.”

“Here, you feast your eyes with delectable selections on display or on the table. Add to that the sight of colorful blooms being set into boxes or bouquets, which, in turn, enhances the overall ambiance of the café.”

She adds the place is not only for the romantics, but also families and groups of friends. This is a place where ideas meet, plans are brewed, and

memories are made.

Just weeks after it opened, Yolks! has become the place to be.

“Michelle and I are happy with how this partnership has brought people together. In a way, we put value into the fact that we’ve become part of meaningful memories shared by people in love, families on a food trip, and friends bonding over sips and bites.”

“I am extremely grateful that I found a business partner who I can freely connect with, no matter what eggs I throw. She and I take each idea as valuable as every egg in a dozen. Yolks! has just hatched and we’re already excited with other treats we’ll be cooking to delight our customers.”

Yolks! is located at Bella Vie Bldg., along circumferential road. Store and service hours is from 10.00 am to 9.00 pm, Tuesdays to Sundays.

For more details and information, follow yolks. ph on Instagram and Facebook. You may also contact 0927 488 3528.

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THE MOVERS AND SHAKERS OF DAVAO’S TOURISM INDUSTRY GATHERED AT THE GRAND BALLROOM OF THE MARCO POLO DAVAO LAST AUG. 29 to witness the oath-taking ceremony of the association’s new set of officers before Department of Tourism XI Regional Director Roberto Alabado III. Leading the dynamic team of new officers was DATA’s president Gatchi Gatchalian who expressed optimism for Davao’s great tourism potential despite recent developments in the city. “Now is the time for Davao tourism to stand up and shine,” said Gatchalian. “DATA is the oldest tourism association in the region and we have lined up new and exciting happenings to promote the region hand-in-hand with DOT nationally and internationally,” he added.

Congratulations to the dynamic officers and members of DATA.

2016

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 144 • WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2016

I N T E R N AT I O N A L LY ACCLAIMED FILIPINO INDEPENDENT FILMMAKER LAV DIAZ’ FILM “ANG BABAENG HUMAYO” (“The Woman Who Left”) won the prestigious Golden Lion for Best Film, the highest honor given at the 73rd Venice Film Festival last Saturday (Sep 10).

“This is for my country, for the Filipino people, for our struggle and the struggle of humanity,” said Diaz in his acceptance speech.

Produced by ABS-CBN’s Cinema One Originals and Diaz’ Sine Olivia, “Ang Babaeng Humayo” tells the story of Horacia (Charo Santos), a woman seeking revenge after being convicted for decades for a crime she didn’t commit.

This is the first time the Philippines won in the Venice Film Festival, which is considered one of most prestigious in the world like the Cannes Film Festival and Berlin Film Festival.

Variety’s film critic Guy Lodge, in a review, said “The latest super-

sized opus from Filipino maximalist Lav Diaz is a powerful and, by his standards, refreshingly contained moral study.”

“Ang Babaeng Humayo” also marks the movie comeback of former ABS-CBN president and now chief content officer Charo Santos, who also earned positive reviews from critics for her role in the nearly four-hour long film.

In an article written by Clarence Tsui of The Hollywood Reporter, Charo was praised for her “majestic” and “sturdy” performance. Variety’s Lodge, meanwhile, tweeted “Woman Who Left star Charo Santos is the real Oscar frontrunner.”

The movie also stars awardwinning actor John Lloyd Cruz in another must-see and daring performance.

Lav, Charo, John Lloyd, and Cinema One head Ronald Arguelles represented the country at the Venice Film Festival and attended various functions such as press conference, red carpet premiere, and the awards gala.

Also part of the cast are Michael de Mesa, Shamaine CenteneraBuencamino, Nonie Buencamino, Marj Lorico, Mayen Estanero, Romelyn Sale, Lao Rodriguez, Jean Judith Javier, Mae Paner, and Kakai Bautista.

September 8 – 13, 2016

MORGAN Kate Mara, Anya Taylor-Joy Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

R13

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

PETE'S DRAGON Bryce Dallas Howard, Oakes Fegley Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

PG

12:45 | 3:00 | 5:15 | 7:30 | 9:45 LFS

SULLY Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

PG

12:25 | 2:45 | 5:05 | 7:25 | 9:45 LFS

TRAIN TO BUSAN Gong Yoo, Kim Su-an Guaranteed Seating & One Time Viewing Only

R13

THE ANNUAL KOREAN FILM FESTIVAL UNREELS TO SHOWCASE FIVE BLOCKBUSTER AND CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED FILMS at selected SM Cinemas from September 8 to October 16. With Strong Hearts as this year’s theme, the festival will feature films with characters with strong personalities and those who pursue their goals and desires with courage and determination, A joint partnership between the Korean Embassy’s Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines and SM Cinema, the film festival began its run at SM City Clark in Pampanga from September 8 to 11. This will be followed by screenings at SM Lanang Premier in Davao from September 15 to 18, SM City Iloilo from September 22 to 25, SM City Cebu from September 29 to October 1, and at SM City Dasmariñas in Cavite on October 6 to 9. The film festival’s culminating event will be on October 8 to 11 at SM Megamall.

Other partners include the Korean Film Council (KOFIC), the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), Film Cultural Exchange Pro-

gram, the Korea Tourism Organization – Manila (KTO), and the Korea Copyright Commission.

The featured films give us a glimpse of Korean history and culture. Ode to My Father is a South Korean drama that depicts modern Korean history from the 1950s to the present day. This is seen through the life of an ordinary man, as he experienced events such as the Hungnam evacuation of 1950 during the Korean War, the government’s decision to dispatch nurses and miners to Germany in the 1960s, and the Vietnam War. Other films highlight different aspects of Korean everyday life. On the lighter side, there is The Beauty Inside, a story about a furniture designer who wakes up in a different body everyday, regardless of age, gender, and nationality and how he could reunite with his special someone; and How to Use

Guys with Secret Tips, a part romantic comedy, part satire of the Korean film industry. This wacky and charming tale follows and overworked woman’s attempt to improve her relationship with men.

There are also crime and action films such as Confession of Murder, which is about a man who confesses murders he committed by publishing a book and a detective who is searching for the author of the book; and The Suspect, which is about a North Korean agent who tries to uncover the volatile secrets hidden inside the eyeglasses of a dead man after he’s betrayed and has escaped.

For more information and queries, please contact the Korean Cultural Center at 555-1711 or email events@koreanculture.ph.

The 2016 Korean Film Festival is one of the many interesting cultural events of SM Cinema.

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

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Comval launches ‘Bayanihan Para sa Kalusugan, Kusina ng Kalinga’

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All stakeholders on peace and order, including the mayors of the 10 municipality and one city of the province, convene during the emergency PPOC meeting on September 5, discussing strategies to beef up Davao Oriental’s security measures against threats and illegal drugs.

Stakeholders beef up Dav Or security setup S

TAKEHOLDERS on peace and order have beefed up the province’s security efforts following the blast in Davao City on September 2 that left 14 people dead and more than 60 injured.

Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang, who has convened the members of the Provincial Peace and Order Council in an emergency meeting recently, said it is of utmost importance that ‘we assure everyone of their safety’.

He ordered the Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police to intensify the province’s security measures.

The Governor said he wants to tap the military reservists, the Barangay Peace Action Teams (BPATs), and the purok leaders as force multipliers in monitoring activities in the streets and the barangays.

He told the members of

the PPOC that people should not think that attacks are limited to only one target area. “Any place can be a target that’s why it’s imperative that we must prepare to protect our province against any threats,” said Governor Dayanghirang.

Ensuring the province’s safety, the military and the police have strengthened their coordination.

Col. Bienvenido R. Datuin, Jr., Commander of the 701st Brigade of the Philippine Army, said the military has augmented the forces of the police, especially in the capital City of Mati. They have also deployed more military personnel to enhance police forces in intensifying checkpoints on key areas. He said that all available forces will be used to closely work with the PNP. For his part, PSSUPT Harry Espela, Provincial Director of the Provincial Police Office

said that the police forces are focusing their efforts on prevention of attacks and other criminal activities. He said they have mobilized police forces along with the BPATs. While the province is surrounded by seas, Espela said that the police are also mobilizing troops along coastal areas as open waters are often exploited by criminals as a means to move in or escape.

CONCERTED EFFORTS Governor Dayanghirang said he stands behind President Rodrigo Duterte on his declaration of the ‘State of Lawless Violence’. He said he strongly supports the national government’s call to all local chief executives ‘to back security efforts of the PNP and the Armed Forces in the establishment of necessary security mechanisms to protect the public from the threats of ter-

rorists and lawless elements’.

He said that while the national government is doing its best to assure the people of their safety, supporting it is the least that the local government can do. “This is everybody’s concern and it is our responsibility to help the national government in keeping the people safe,” he said.

Encouraging unity and convergence, Governor Dayanghirang stressed the importance of vigilance among the people. He urges the citizens must do their fair share in protecting the community by reporting suspicious activities to the authorities. “Everybody must become a watchdog,” he said. He added that terrorism is everybody’s concern, not just the government officials, the military and the police, but it involves the entire society.

Furthermore, Governor

F STAKEHOLDERS, 13

HE provincial government of Compostela Valley launched a health and nutrition program called “Bayanihan Para sa Kalusugan-Kusina ng Kalinga” (BPSK-KnK) in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Uswag Gawad Kalinga (Uswag GK) last Sept. 5 at the Maco Heights Elementary School.

Attending the launching ceremony were Gov. Jayvee Tyron L. Uy; Dr. Reynante S. Solitario-schools division superintendent (SDS), DepEd Comval; Rene Rieta, head, GK Southern Mindanao; Ricky Villanueva, movement head, GK Southern Mindanao; David Kullman- consultant, PHINMA Group; Keneth Barroga, provincial head, Department of Science and Technology (DOST); Edwin Carmelotes, provincial coordinator, GK; Raul Timogtimog, action officer, GK; and other municipal and provincial officials.

“The silent terrorism for me is hunger, because it is one reason that hinders the performance of our children in the school,” Gov. Uy said in his remarks during the program’s launch, referring to the Davao bombing last Sept 2.

The governor had earlier expressed his condolences to the victims and their relatives via social media.

“Dako kaayo ug epekto ang pagkaon nga gina prepare sa atong mga beneficiary parents, because mas maka concentrate ang mga bata, mas dali nilang ma absorb sa ilahang mga utok ang mga gitudlo sa atuang mga teachers kung adunay sulod ang tiyan sa mga bata,” he added.

Meanwhile, Supt. Solitario reported the DepEd’s ComVal division has 7,600 malnourished children, while the BPSK-KNK program’s beneficiaries are about 7,144.

The municipality of Maco has 780 pupils who have been identified as severely wasted and wasted (malnourished).

“DepEd Comval has a budget for School Based Feeding Program (SBFP) allotted to the different schools. We want to try out other possible means aside from the usual practice we have…we partner with Compostela Valley Provincial Government wherein the funds for that school will be given to PLGU and they will be the one to help us in purchasing the ingredients for the meals and including the liquidation as well as the implementation of this program through the BPSK-KNK,” said Solitario.

“After Maco as pilot school, this program will be expanded and implemented to the different schools throughout the province,” he added.

The BPSK-KnK will feed a total of 780 undernourished school children studying in the identified pilot schools.

The food will be prepared by the GK personnel at the “Central Kitchen” located at the Maco Heights Elementary School.

The signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the ComVal provincial government and the GK was held during the program, as well as the blessing and the ribbon cutting of the newly built “Central Kitchen” and the new service vehicles to be used by the BPSK-KnK for the marketing, hauling and distribution of packed meals.

Also gracing the event were DepEd teachers and district supervisors, barangay officials, PTA officials, GK personnel, provincial government and assistant department heads, as well as the parents of the students-beneficiaries. (Rey M. Antibo, IDS Comval)

nicate their thoughts publicly with confidence.

Two days after the seminar, another set of 40 TC youth leaders, led by the TC Labora-

tory Cooperative Board of Directors, underwent a one-day Gender Sensitivity Training (GST).

Gov’t forces to cleanse Tagum Coop trains youth on leadership, gender sensitivity Sulu of ASG scourge I

G

OVERNMENT troops continue to gain headway in the focused military operations against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in the hinterlands of Sulu province.

“It will just be a matter of time before our troops will engage the ASG and punch a decisive blow into their ranks and leadership,” Brig. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Joint Task Force Sulu commander, said in a text message.

Dela Vega on Monday visited the troops who have been assigned to battle the ASG brigands in the hinterlands of Patikul and Talipao municipalities.

Dela Vega’s visit aimed to boost the morale of troops in the field, as he met with Col. Jesus Manangquil and Col. Jose Faustino, 101st and 501st Infantry Brigade commanders, respectively, to be appraised on the progress of the ongoing

military operations.

The 101st Infantry Brigade is based in Patikul town, while the 501st in Talipao municipality.

Manangquil said the troops are slowly constricting the movements of the ASG, as they are familiar with the area’s terrain.

“The familiarity of terrain is a noted advantage to them as of now, but as our troops conduct more operations and patrols and become more familiar with the terrain, we will negate that advantage and we will deliver a decisive blow against the ASG (brigands),” Manangquil said.

“We have to cleanse Sulu of the scourge of the Abu Sayyaf and make this place peaceful so that economic activity and tourism will prosper,” Faustino said.

F GOV’T, 13

N line with Tagum Cooperative’s (TC) continuing effort to educate and train its members, the coop conducted a Cooperative Leadership Concept and Public Speaking Seminar for 50 of its school-based youth savers.

The seminar, held last Aug. 25 at the TC Function Hall, aimed to equip the youth participants on cooperative skills and values.

Miriam Baloyo, board of directors member, facilitated the Leadership Concept module which taught the trainees how to become effective leaders in organizations such as the Tagum Coop.

In one of the group activities, participants were instructed to solve a puzzle with pictures of well-known Filipino leaders which included President Rodrigo Duterte.

When Baloyo asked what they can say about the President, Maxi, a high school student proudly said, “he (Duter-

te) protects the Filipinos”.

Meanwhile, Director Nenita Malbas led the session on Public Speaking which taught participants how to commu-

F TAGUM, 10

YOUTH LEADERSHIP TRAINING. Maxi, a high school student, expresses her admiration for President Duterte during a leadership training organized by the Tagum Cooperative.

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Rody... FROM 7

working on five policy directions, which include the protection of farmers and ensure their security of tenure; promotion of farmers’ rights and welfare; contribute to rural development; help ensure food security; and the strengthening DAR community.

When he assumed office in July, Mariano said he already gave a directive for the fast validation and inventory of all

lands distributed to CARP beneficiaries.

“Today’s status based on accomplishment report, from 1972 to June 2016 is more than 4.7 million hectares of lands already distributed to more than 2.7 million beneficiaries. The field validation and inventory is important for ensure that those lands already distributed are still in the possession of the beneficiaries,”

Dayanghirang encouraged local government units to support the Department of Interior and Local Government’s Masa Masid which is a barangay-based anti-criminality program. Primarily designed

to counter illegal drugs and corruption, the Masa Masid’s mass-based and multi-sectoral approach can also be tapped to help fight terrorism.

By Karen Lou Deloso/ Photo

by Eden Jhan Licayan

Stakeholders... FROM 11

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH SALE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late CIPRIANO LAHUY, SR. and MAXIMA P. LAHUY has been the subject of an Extra Judicial Settlement of Estate with Sale executed among their heirs, per Doc. No.372; Page No.75; Book No.24; Series of 2006, of the NOTARY PUBLIC JOCAM JOSEPH C. JOCSON. 9/7,14,21

Mariano said.

He added that he also ordered for the inventory and review of conversion orders issued by DAR and see if these orders are implemented within the period of five years.

Other directives he issued upon his assumption into office include the review of all agricultural leasehold contracts, as well as the review of existing contracts where there are stock distribution plan or agreements especially in the island of Negros, including those contracts on agribusi-

ness venture arrangements.

Data show that there are about 1.2 million agricultural leases and 1.7 million hectares under the agricultural leasehold system in the Philippines, Mariano said.

He added the country now has 433 existing agribusiness venture contracts that covers 57,000 hectares of lands in the country.

“We want these reviewed to ensure that the rights of our agrarian reform beneficiaries respected under these agreements,” Mariano said.

So far, 59 ASG members have been killed -- 32 in Sulu and 27 in Basilan, while 18 government troops have died during military operations.

Of the 18 soldiers killed in

action, 15 died in Sulu, while three were slain in Basilan.

Twenty-eight soldiers -- 27 in Sulu and one in Basilan -were wounded in the focused military operations. (PNA)

Gov’t... FROM 11

EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late MEDELEINE S. RODINAS has been the subject of an Extra Judicial Settlement of Estate executed among her heirs, per Doc. No.500; Page No.100; Book No.24; Series of 2016, of the NOTARY PUBLIC ALEX BLAISE J. CUNANAN. 9/7,14,21

NEWS 13

PHITEX... FROM 6 augment foreign arrivals to the region,” she added, stressing that “it is business as usual in Davao.”

Secretary Teo also spoke of the world renowned culture of Filipino hospitality and the people’s indomitable spirit.

“You will fall in love not only with the places you will visit but more so with the communities that will welcome you with open arms and open

hearts. You will be amazed by the resilience with which we all bounce back stronger,” she noted.

“We hope that what you experience in your journey to our country will convert you into passionate promoters of our tourism destinations. On our part, be assured that we will do our utmost to care of you,” the tourism chief told the PHITEX delegates.

This enterprise focuses in processing coconut-based food products such as coco water, milk, sugar, and desiccated coconut among many others. These premium products will be exported mainly to European countries where the demand of coco-based food products is high.

Tiruveedula said these high-value products from coconuts have higher economic potential than copra which has a volatile price in the international market.

Governor Dayanghirang is optimistic about investment prospects in the province, which will help locals land good-paying jobs.

He added this ventures would also entice more farmers to plant coconut.

“Davao Oriental is prominently a coconut province and it is high time that we revive our coconut industry,” said Gov. Dayanghirang. He said that through the Philippine Coconut Authority’s (PCA) assistance to the farmers, more coconut trees are expected to be planted in the next few years. Although the province is promoting the planting of coconut trees, it also encourages farmers to plant other high-value crops such as cacao, coffee, abaca, chili,

and other fruit trees.

Coconut... FROM 7

INVESTMENT CLIMATE Governor Dayanghirang said the new company’s choice to locate here in Davao Oriental is a good indication that the province has been creating a good climate for business and investments, particularly for foreign investors.

In order to entice more businessmen to invest here in the province, the provincial government wants to tap Davao Oriental’s potential through infrastructure development projects.

While the national government is keen at developing infrastructure projects that will prop up the country’s economic sector, Governor Dayanghirang hopes funds will be poured in for the development of an airport.

“Development projects provide the impetus towards economic progress,” says Governor Dayanhirang who is eyeing to develop the Mati City airport which has been left idle for many years.

He says developing the airport as a means of connectivity would not only help boost trade and business, but will also help boost the province’s emerging tourism sector. By Karen Lou Deloso

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Medina wins bronze G in Rio Paralympics

ACCL injury for Slaughter?

T

HE Philippines won its first medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics courtesy of table tennis player Josephine Medina in the women’s singles Class 8 division on Monday.

Medina defeated pulled off an 11-5, 11-6, 11-7 victory over 2015 European Para Championships silver medalist Julianne Wolf of Germany to improve her fourth-place finish at the 2012 London Paralympics four years ago.

Reigning champion Mao Jingdian of China pocketed the gold medal after beating Thu Kamkasimphou of France, 11SURPRISE MEDALIST. Josephine Medina of the Philippines returns a forehand in this bit of action.

6, 11-8, 11-2.

“I have been praying to God that one day the Philippines would win a medal; the last time in London, I came so close I finished in fourth place,” said Medina in an interview with the International Table Tennis Federation.

“Here the competition has been really tough but as I told you before when I beat Aida Dahlen and qualified for the main draw, for God nothing is impossible!” she added.

“When you play, you must believe and you must give absolutely everything; now the Philippines will not go return

home without a medal,” said Medina. “Today I did not win for myself, I won for my team, for my country, I won for the Philippines!”.

Playing table tennis served as therapy for Medina, who was a polio victim.

“My father was on the national team. I was sick as I was a polio victim and table tennis is my therapy. I used to compete with able-bodied athletes and qualified for the national team but they told me you cannot be in the national team for the able-bodied as you are disabled. The rejection has become my inspiration and I

train hard and I just want to prove that disability is not a hindrance in achieving your goal. It’s just an instrument in reaching success in your life,” she said.

Medina, a gold medalist in the 2015 ASEAN Para Games in Singapore, also dedicated her victory to her father, who died of heart attack, while working as coach in Saudi Arabia in 2004.

The Philippines won its first medal in the Paralympics in 2000 when powerlifter Adeline Dumapong bagged the bronze in Sydney, Australia.

REG Slaughter, Barangay Ginebra’s star center, could be out for the rest of the season.

Ginebra coach Tim Cone confirmed that the 7-footer’s injury, based on initial MRI results, was expected to be a tear to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in his knee.

“Greg’s injury, unfortunately, seems to be an ACL tear,” wrote Cone. “We have not received any official word form Dr. Canlas, but initial findings from the MRI point to an ACL tear.”

S l a u g h t e r, who was shelved for three months due to b o n e spurs in his ankle, suite d

up against the Mahindra Enforcer but could not finish the game. He stopped play for a few minutes when he collapsed to the ground but was able to gingerly walk off the floor on his own power.

Though they are still waiting on results from the doctor, Ginebra is already pondering the future, which could include surgery and a long recovery time.

“Once we got an official diagnosis, we will sit down with Greg and the doctors and determine the proper course of action and whether surgery will be

n e e d e d ,” added Cone.

INJURED. Greg Slaughter, Barangay Ginebra’s star center, could be out for the rest of the season.

Frayna is first ever Pinay Woman Chess GM

Baldwin, Reyes defend winless Gilas T

HE losses are piling up for Gilas Pilipinas, and so is the frustration from fans.

Gilas fans, perhaps not used to seeing the side lose this much games, turned to social media to vent their anger after the national side lost its third straight game in the Fiba Asia Challenge 2016 at the hands of China, 6575, on Monday.

The young national side, though, has found staunch defenders led by Samahang Bas-

ketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio, who praised the players’ fighting spirit in the face of its struggles in Tehran, Iran.

‘I’m proud of these boys!

This team doesn’t back down against any opponent,” said Panlilio in an Instagram post which he also shared on Twitter, punctuating his post with the words ‘puso’ and ‘Laban Pilipinas.’

Former Gilas coach Chot Reyes said the losses are ex-

pected, considering the team is in transition in the absence of PBA players as well as amateur stars like Kiefer Ravena, Rayray Parks and Jio Jalalon.

In a series of posts on Twitter, Reyes explained that the team is no more than a developmental team and is not yet the Gilas 5.0 that the SBP is planning to put together after Fiba launched a new qualifying format that put in doubt the continued participation of PBA

players.

As such, Reyes said the Tehran showpiece is no more than a learning experience for a team he still prefers to address as Gilas cadets and asked fans to ‘trust the process.’

Reyes even sneered at a Twitter follower who took a dig at him and his son Josh, who called the shots for the team in lieu of Tab Baldwin who has focused on Ateneo’s campaign in the UAAP.

JOHNREIL CASIMIRO. IBF flyweight champion Casimero, 26, said he dedicated his victory over Edwards to his late brother Gerald who died of heart failure at 17 in 2012. His brother, who was born with a hole in his heart, passed away the day before Casimero left for Buenos Aires to battle Luis Lazarte for

the interim IBF lightflyweight crown. Casimero said he was devastated by his brother’s death but couldn’t stay for the wake because he had to earn money to pay for the funeral expenses by fighting Lazarte.

Casimero, the second of four children, is the breadwinner of the family. His older brother Jason worked his corner against Edwards with chief trainer Jhun Agrabio. His only sister Sherylin is a policewoman. His father is a retired pier porter and his mother, a housewife, earns extra money as a manicurist. With his ring earnings, Casimero built a house for his parents in Ormoc and put up a piggery with three sows. His plan for the fu-

ture is to own a boxing gym in Manila.

Casimero said he had no difficulty disposing of Edwards and his only problem was the cut he suffered due to an accidental headbutt in the fourth round. He later took three stitches to sew up the gash near the corner of his left eye. “Edwards has no power,” he said. “He’s still young, he has good footwork and boxing skills. But my advice for him is to develop power. To become a world champion, it’s not enough to have talent.

Power is important. Personally, I didn’t like what he told the media after he lost. It was like he couldn’t accept defeat. Mayabang pa rin.”

New world champ hopes to meet Duterte F RESH from halting English challenger Charlie Edwards in London over the weekend, IBF flyweight champion Johnriel Casimero said yesterday his dream is to meet President Duterte because he admires the way the Chief Executive rules with determination and political will.

“The President is my idol,” said Casimero who arrived from London last night. “He won by landslide and I also won by landslide. I hope somebody can take me to meet him.”

Casimero pointed out that he knocked out Thailand’s Amnat Ruenroeng in Beijing last May 25, over two weeks after the elections and five days before Duterte was proclaimed.

T

HE Philippines now has its first ever Woman Chess Grandmaster in 20-yearold Janelle Mae Frayna.

According to a press release, Frayna achieved the historic feat when she clinched the third and final WGM result with a 33-move draw with International Master Daavademberel Nomin-Erdene in a stinging 1.5-2.5 decision to 15th seed Mongolia after the ninth round of the 42nd World Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan Sunday night, September 11.

Frayna scored 6 points on 4 wins and 4 draws against just one loss in 9 games.

“I’m proud to announce that WIM (Woman International Master) Janelle Mae Frayna achieved the third and last result to become the first Woman Grandmaster from the Philippines,” GM Jayson Gonzales, the women’s skipper and Frayna’s personal trainer and coach at Far Eastern University, said in the press release.

Frayna’s opponents included 3 men’s Grandmasters (Georgia’s Nana Dzagnidze and India’s Dronavalli Harika), one with a men’s International Master title (Nomin Erdene), and two other

Women International Masters (Sabrina Latreche of Algeria and Alejandra Guerrero Rodrigiez of Mexico).

Meanwhile, GM Eugene Torre is also set to make history as he slew GM Diego Flores in the Philippines’ 2-2 draw with Argentina.

Torre, 64, now has an undefeated record of 8 points on 7 wins and two draws, the highest points by any individual player in the 11-round tournament.

Torre, however, is running fifth in the battle for the gold medal on board 3, which will be determined by whoever ends up with the highest performance rating, behind a stellar cast that included GM Wesley So, who is representing the United States.

Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi currently leads the way with 2887 followed by Hungarian GM Zoltan Almasi’s 2871 while French GM Laurent Fressinet is at No. 4 with 2857.

“Hopefully, Wesley and I could end up as board medalists and I’m also thinking of helping the team win matches,” said Torre, whose lone board medal was a silver in the 1974 Nice Olympiad where he emerged Asia’s first ever GM.

NEW WOMEN’S GM. Janelle Mae Frayna achieved the WCGM result in the World Chess Olympiad.

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