Edge Davao 9 Issue 24 by Edge Davao The Business Paper

VOL. 9 ISSUE 24 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2016

EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

BETH ON A MISSION Rody’s ex-wife leads Byaheng DU30 caravan By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. abf@edgedavao.net

ESPITE her lingering ailment, Elizabeth Zimmerman-Duterte, former wife of presidential bet Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, is now lesding a campaign for her ex-husband. Elizabeth is the lead otganizer of the “Byaheng DU30” a 30-day caravan by 30 volunteers to campaign for the candidacy of Duterte for

President. Elizabeth is stricken with stage 3 cancer but decided to stop her radiation sessions to come out and help in the campaign. She has 16 more radiation sessions to complete the 33 sessions mandated by her doctor when she comes back from the one month caravan. In the Facbook page of Byaheng DU30, She said she

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wants to meet her fellow Filipinos and answer their questions about Duterte. “I wanted to help him because he is still part of my family, he is the father of my children. We may be annulled in court but we were also married in the church and the Catholic church never anulled our marriage. I wanted to complete at least seventeen radiation ses-

sions before stopping the treatment and go out to campaign” she said. Elizabeth said she will also visit the birthplace of her parents in Hilongos, Leyte and Tuburan, Cebu. When she was asked why she decided to help and why now? She said, Early morning yesterday at St. Francis of Assisi, the family of Elizabeth along

FAMILY FOR DUTERTE. A young boy and his parents flash the clinched fist gesture popularized by presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte while the mayor is delivering his message during a campaign rally in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, Monday afternoon. (Rody Duterte: The Real Change photo)

EX-WIFE’S CONTRIBUTION. Elizabeth Zimmerman-Duterte, the former wife of presidential bet Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, receives a communion in their send-off mass yesterday at St. Frnacis of Assisi in Ma-a. Elizabeth led the “Byaheng DU30” caravan which will campaign for the presidency of he ex-husband despite of her ailment. Photo from Byaheng DU30 Facebook Page with his daughter former Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio and grandchildren offered a mass as their starting point of their journey. She was joined by her daughter Sara and her grandchildren Shark, Stingray and Bella. The caravan is intended to go around Visayas and Mindanao to thank the supporters and convince the

undecided and convert those who are unsure who to trust, choose, and vote for Tunay na Pagbabago -- to trust, choose, and vote for the mayor. Some of their activities will be giving out of handbills and distribution of campaign paraphernalia. The schedule and activities of the caravan will be regularly posted in their facebook page Byaheng DU30.

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 24 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2016

SECURITY CAMERA. Visitors walk by a closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera installed at the entrance of Sangguniang Panlungsod for added protection and security to one of the busiest government buildings in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

Comelec makes VCM onscreen verification feature‘irrelevant’

HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has made the onscreen verification feature of the vote counting machine (VCM) “irrelevant” since they will be issuing voter receipts. This, after the Comelec reduced the original plan of 15 seconds to one second for voters to verify their votes. With this, Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez noted that making the said feature immaterial would lessen the voting hours from the estimated 20 hours to 16 hours. “Dahil binawasan natin, I

think mababawasan soon pa lang sa onscreen verification pa lang four hours na ang mababawas mo soon. So ‘yung dating estimate natin na 20 hours na madadagdag ngayon 16 hours na lang,” he said in an interview before the start of the special Demo of the VCMs for diplomats at the Baluarte de San Diego in Intramuros, Manila on Monday. The feature was shortened since disabling it would need another trusted build of the source code of the VCMs. Jimenez also called on the voters to double-check the

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DOH conducts first free dengue vaccination program in 3 regions

HE Department of Health (DOH), together with the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and other health partners, led the launching on Monday of the first-ever free-dengue vaccination program at Parang Elementary school in Marikina City. DOH Secretary Janette L. Garin herself injected a grade IV pupil who is the first to avail of the new anti-dengue vaccine called Dengvaxia. Some 600 pupils in Marikina were also given the same vaccine. The historic first dengue vaccination launching at the Marikina school marked the start of the conduct of the free vaccination in three regions where it will be administered in three doses among grade

IV pupils or nine-year-old children studying in public schools. These are in Regions III (Central Luzon), IV-A (Calabarzon), and the National Capital Region (NCR).Calabarzon refers to the five provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon. A total of one million children will be benefiting from the free vaccination program made possible with the commitment of the Aquino Health Agenda in making the vaccine-preventable illnesses accessible by the poorest sectors needing them in order to bridge the gaps between the rich and the poor in the area of health inequity. “Today will be a historic milestone in public health for the Philippines as we formally launch our dengue vaccina-

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P31.5-M aid approved for Kidapawan farmers By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

abf@edgedavao.net

HE Davao City Council has approved the P31.5 assistance for the protesting famers who are hit by the drought in North Cotabato as requested by Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte. In yesterday’s City Council’s regular session, “An ordinance to support the province of North Cotabato in form of food assistance,” was passed by the council under suspended rules yesterday. The fund will enable the city to procure and give 15,000 sacks of rice to the farmers of North Cotabato. This approval came in

when Duterte vowed on Friday that he will give food assistance to the victims of drought after the bloody dispersal of protesting farmers in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato last week. The dispersal resulted to two deaths from the group of the protesters and dozens were wounded from the police and farmers. The ordinance states the Office of the City Mayor has issued a certificate of urgency on April 4, requesting for the approval to support then farmers of North Cotabato. It said the North Cotabato

has been experiencing drought and rat infestation as the result of dry spell which affected 31,663.70 hectares of agricultural lands in the province. There are 13,286 farmers who are suffering from the P1.47 billion damage based from Damage and Assessment Needs Analysis report of the Department of Agriculture (DA) 12. The assistance will be drawn from the P309 million quick response fund (QRF) which was recommended by Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO).

During the discussion, City Budget Office head Erlinda Furog assured the city council the city government still has enough money to respond to the needs of the Dabawneyos once a calamity or disaster will hit the city. For her part, assistant city administrator Jhopee S. Avanceña-Agustin assured the councilors and the public that the donation will be not used as propaganda for the political advancement of Duterte who is running for president. This after councilor Bonifacio Militar asked her the as-

N official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) said that it is expected that Pope Francis will forgive whoever asked for forgiveness. “We cannot, of course, doubt the Pope’s capacity to forgive. He preaches about it and shows it by accommodating and understanding people who practiced a less than ideal Christian life,” said Fr. Jerome Secillano, executive secretary of the Public Affairs Committee (PAC) of the CBCP. The Catholic priest is reacting on reports that the Holy

Father responded through a letter on the apology of presidential candidate Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. Provided that the Vatican had issued a letter, Secillano noted that damage has been done. “But another issue here is the damage that Duterte inflicted on the people who believe and respect the pope,” he said before reports came out confirming the veracity of the Vatican letter. At the same time, the priest from the Nuestra Señora del Perpetual Socorro Par-

ish in Manila said that the country needs not only a good leader but he/she must be good-fearing. “The nation deserves not only those with good administrative skills but leaders who will protect and enhance the moral fabric of our country,” he said. Secilla added, “This may be an old issue but cursing whether done privately or publicly does not befit a person especially if you are seeking the highest post in the land.” A copy of the letter from

the Vatican signed by Angelo Becciu, was released on Monday. “His Holiness Pope Francis has received your letter of 21 January 2016, and he has asked me to respond on his behalf. He appreciates the sentiments which you expressed,” said the one-page letter dated February 24, 2016. It added, “The Holy Father offers the assurance of his prayers for you, as he invokes upon you the divine blessings of wisdom and peace.” It was reported that Davao

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CBCP official on Vatican letter to Duterte A

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 24 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2016

Smartmatic contract questioned before SC

ORE than a month before the 2016 synchronized automated national elections, a petition was filed against the Commission on Elections (Comelec) about its preparation for the conduct of the forthcoming presidential elections. In its petition for certiorari, prohibition and mandamus dated March 31, 2016, losing bidder Northern Worx KPO Inc., NextIX Inc., and Kit Properties Inc Joint Venture asked the Supreme Court (SC) to prohibit the Comelec from awarding the contract for the establishment of the National Technical Support Center (NTSC) for the May 9 elections to the Smartmatic-TIM by issuing a temporary restraining order (TRO). The petitioners also asked the Supreme Court (SC) to compel the Comelec to have the project be awarded to them for having submitted the lowest calculated responsive bid. The NTSC is the unit mandated to render technical assistance to each component of the elections. Named as respondents in the petition are the Comelec and the Joint Venture of Smartmatic TIM Corporation, Total Information Management Corporation, Smartmatic International Holtint BV, Jarltech In-

ternational Inc and LRA Pacific Management Consulting Inc. In a pre-bid conference conducted on Jan. 11, 2016, only two bidders participated, the joint ventures of Northern Worx and that of the Smartmatic-TIM. The project has an approved budget of more than Php 122 million. On Jan. 25, 2016, the Comelec-Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) declared the Northern Worx as the one who have submitted the lowest calculated bid with a bid of Php 90.88 million against the Smartmatic-TIM which posted a bid of Php 122.71 million. However, the BAC, in a resolution dated Feb. 15, 2016,disqualified the Northern Worx after the post-qualification conducted by the BAC’s Technical Working Group. The petitioner’s joint venture protested their disqualification but it was denied by the Comelec en banc on the ground that the net financial contracting capacity is not at least equal to the approved budget for the contract. Believing that the Comelec committed grave abuse of discretion in its decision, the petitioner elevated the case to the SC. “The petitioner has a clear and unmistakable right to be

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NEWS 3

Cayetano dares Chiz to debate on Rody’s vow on crime, drugs V

ICE Presidential bet Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano challenged fellow Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero to a one-on-one debate following a statement made by the latter that Davao City Mayor Rodri-

go “Rody” Duterte’s six-month target to stamp out crime, drugs and corruption is not realistic. Cayetano said that whoever loses in the debate should withdraw. “To those who lack political will, nothing is possible.

But to those who have a clear vision for real change and the strength of character to do what is right, any goal can be accomplished,” Cayetano said as he defended their tandem’s anti-crime and -corruption agenda.

In an interview, Escudero told reporters that Duterte could not possibly fulfill his pledge of ending crime and corruption in just six months. “It can’t be done. Not within his term... The problems are too

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DUTERTE DUMAGUETE. A large number of supporters cheer and chant as presidential candidate Rodrigo R. Duterte of the PDP Laban delivers his message during a campaign sortie in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental Province, Monday afternoon. (Rody Duterte: The Real Change photo)

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VOL. 9 ISSUE 24 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2016

Cotabato City blast hurts 3

OTABATO CITY - Three students were injured when an improvised explosive device went off Monday night inside the Cotabato City State Polytechnic College (CCSPC), police said. The IED, made of flash powder, cut nails and triggering device, was planted and set off at 11 p.m. under the grandstand where a battle of the band competition was earlier held. Injured were Neil Barasbaras Borja, 20, Dondon Jumalon Bangis, 25, Tyrone Sunico Jore, all residents of Notre Dame Avenue, Cotabato City. They sustained injuries

QUITAIN WITH MEDIA. City administrators Melchor Quitain interacts with members of local media before entering the premises of the session hall of Sangguniang Panlungsod yesterday where city councilors tackled

and later approved the request of Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte to release P31.5 million worth of rice for North Cotabato farmers. Lean Daval Jr.

3 PNP officers, 2 soldiers held hostage by NPA

NoCot guv offers free legal C assistance to jailed farmers N

ORTH Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza said Monday her administration is planning on offering free legal services to the 43 farmers who are now facing charges before the Kidapawan City court. This, despite having received flak for the bloody dispersal of protesting farmers in Kidapawan City last Friday, April 1. In an interview Monday, April 4, Mendoza said that the free legal service will only be given to those who would ask for it. According to Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista, the charges against the farmers filed were Illegal Assembly, Direct Assault to Authority among others. Mendoza said that as much as she wanted to let bygones be bygones, the protesting farmers must however face the consequences of their action. The governor said that the

North Cotabato farmers who attended the Kidapawan rally are also victims of some sectors who exploited the farmers’ plight. Taliño-Mendoza blamed one local politician who was at the rally site in the morning of April 1 urging the farmers not to leave as Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte is reportedly arriving and would be bringing with him sacks of rice for the protesters. Loreta Icnad, farmer from President Roxas town, said her son Jomarie was among the protesters who joined Friday’s rally. She revealed that her son told her that he joined the rally due to a promise of one sack of rice. Icnad said her son did not know who promised the one sack of rice in exchange for their participation to the rally. Prayer rally for Mendoza A big crowd of supporters meanwhile showed up in the

prayer rally Monday in the provincial capitol of North Cotabato in Amas, Kidapawan City. An estimated 25,000 people coming from all 17 municipalities and one city trooped to the provincial capitol to show their support to Governor Taliño-Mendoza and the police. The peace rally was initiated by the governor’s supporters after Gov. Mendoza was strongly criticized by many people outside of her province over the violent dispersal of protesting farmers last Friday, April 1, in Kidapawan City that resulted to the death of three farmers and the injury of more than a hundred people most of whom are policeman who were part of the dispersal team. “This is initiated by people who got really hurt by what they have read on Facebook. They felt bad that it seems that the works that the provincial government has done are being discredited,” Mendoza said.

One resident of Carmen, Taliño-Mendoza’s hometown, said that they are supporting the governor amidst all the criticisms. Bing Ragañosa said that thousands of farmers have been affected by the El Niño phenomenon including them. She said though that since November 2015 they have been warned by the authorities of the impending drought thus they were able to prepare for the worse. She said they had stocked corn for their consumption which they are still using until now. Ragañosa said had the other farmers prepared like they did, they would have not been easily enticed in joining rallies. Gov. Mendoza expressed gratitude to all those who attended the peace rally. She said that she is however not attending the peace rally to avoid being accused of politicizing the event. (Contributed/ Ben O. Tesiorna)

stand the thick smoke and haze coming from the fires,” he said in a radio interview. Pabulare said the local government has initially provided food and other relief items to the evacuees. He said the provincial government has also delivered food packs through personnel from the Philippine Red Cross. As of Tuesday morning, Pabulare said the fires already destroyed around 100 hectares of grass and forest areas in Barangay Kinilis, which is part of the 14,000-hectare Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape. The first major fire in the area started last March 23 in Purok 7 and destroyed around 10 hectares of grass lands.

Officials earlier noted the fires appeared to be manmade and likely caused by the illegal activities of forest poachers and “kaingineros” or slash-and-burn farmers. Another fire broke out in another portion of Kinilis last April 2 that spread to around 90 hectares of grass and forest areas. Pabulare said the situation in Barangay Kinilis remained volatile as the grass and forest fires have not yet been totally extinguished. “The fires are continuing as of the moment. They sometimes slow down and then blow up again,” he said. The official said personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection, MDRRMO and the Municipal Environment and

Natural Resources Office as well as local volunteers are presently trying to put out the fires. He said they dug up trenches in portions of the area to serve fire lines and prevent the fires from further spreading. Aside from Barangay Kinilis, another fire erupted last Saturday in Sitio Datal Ngisi of Barangay Kablon in Tupi town, which is also a part of the Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape. Insp. Eugene Mangilaya, Tupi fire marshal, said the fire has so far destroyed around five hectares of mostly grassy area in Sitio Datal Ngisi. Last week, about onefourth hectare of a forest area

25 families flee due to forest fires in Mt. Matutum

T least 25 families in an upland village in Polomolok town in South Cotabato have evacuated due to the grass and forest fires in parts of Mt. Matutum. Engr. Jonathan Pabulare, head of the Polomolok Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), said Tuesday residents in portions of Barangay Kinilis were forced to leave their homes as the raging fires continued to spread in the last several days. He said the evacuees, who came from Puroks 7 and 8, are currently taking temporary shelter at the barangay hall grounds of Kinilis. “They decided to evacuate mainly for safety reasons and most of them could no longer

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in various parts of their legs. Police investigation showed the victims were preparing to leave the venue after the competition when the blast occurred. Witnesses told police they saw few men roaming around and under the grandstand before the blast. Police are seeking the CCTV footage of CCSPC management as part of the investigation process. Mayor Japal Guiani Jr has directed the police to intensify police visibility in major city streets following the rash of shooting which police believed was related to illegal drug activities. (PNA)

AGAYAN DE ORO CITY - The police and the military on Monday confirmed the capture of three police officers and two army soldiers in a roadblocks established by the New People’s Army (NPA) in various areas in northern Mindanao on Sunday. The police regional command identified the capture police personnel as SPO1 Warren Hansol Coñales, P03 Edwin Panis Castor, SPO4 Rene Rombo, PFC Glenn Austia and PFC Diven Abion Tawide. Pol. Supt. Surki Sereñas, the spokesperson of the regional police command, said that the law enforcers were captured in separate roadblocks manned by the NPA in the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon, and Agusan Del Norte Sunday morning. Capt. Patrick Martinez, the spokesperson of the army’s 4th Infantry Division here, also confirmed the seizure of PFCs Glenn Austia and Diven Abion Tawide, all members of the 23rd Infantry Battalion in Agusan Del

Norte. Martinez said that the government troopers were seized in a rebel checkpoint mounted in the village of Lower Olave, in the town of Buenavista in Agusan Del Norte last Sunday. “The NPA threat is a plain coercion to push their extortion demands,” Martinez said. In a statement, both the military and police said regional commands have started to adopt contingency plans for the release of the law enforcers in captivity. Various police stations in the region have been conducting checkpoints while hot pursuit operations are being carried out by the soldiers. Sereñas said the police regional command is now working to establish a communication channel for the safe release of the police officers. The military in Bukidnon, however, deployed an elite K-9 tracking team in the hope of locating and recovering the captured law enforcers from the hands of the communist rebels. (PNA)

Davao provinces win Rice Achievers Award

ESPITE the onslaught of El Niño phenomenon, Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental placed 4th and 5th respectively. A cash prize worth P4 million for additional rice-production projects in their province will be handed over during the awarding ceremony on April 20, 2016 in Manila. To be considered in the roster of rice achievers, each province must surpass the national average yield target of 4.08 mt/ha. Davao del Norte attained 4.71 mt/ha while Davao Oriental achieved 4.58 mt/ha. Director Remelyn R. Recoter commended the remarkable performance of the two provinces which has significantly contributed to the increased of rice production in the region in 2015.

“We commend our local officials and farmer leaders including the agricultural extension workers and LFT’s for partnering with DA. Even if we were challenged by El Niño, emerged as achievers,” Recoter said. Davao del Norte provincial agriculturist Anastacia G. Notarte, said the province’s increased in rice production is attributed to the use of high-yielding rice varieties they have availed itself from DA. Under the High Yielding Technology Adoption (HYTA) program, DA provided high-yielding varieties such as hybrid rice and certified inbred seeds. “We are planning to increase the budget on local appropriation in order to en-

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5 ECONOMY Steel manufacturing firm to build P1B plant Davao EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 24 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2016

By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

LUZON-BASED steel manufacturing company is pouring in P1-billion in investment to Davao City for the construction of a steel plant, the Davao City Investment Promotion Center (DCIPC) said. “This will be the third steel plant in Davao City,” DCIPC officer-in-charge Ivan C. Cortez told reporters at the sidelines of Monday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao Annex. Cortez said there are already two existing steel plants operating in the city, namely, the Union Galvasteel Corporation (UGC), formerly Bacnotan Steel Corporation, and Steel Asia Manufacturing Corporation. Cortez said the investor saw the potential of putting another steel manufacturing plant in Davao City to meet the requirement of the booming construction industry of Mindanao. Apart from the steel manufacturing plant, Cortez also said the P11-billion bulk water project of the Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc. (AAII) is also expected to commence this year. The Davao City Water District (DCWD) said AAII is targeting to start the con-

struction of Mindanao’s first P10-billion bulk water project in the city by December this year. The project is projected to be finished by 2019 and deliver 300 million liters or 109 million cubic meters per second (cms) of treated potable water from the Tamugan River per year to DCWD, which will benefit the more than 1 million people of the city. This will be higher than the 101 million cms delivered by the Dumoy water system which uses ground water instead to supply potable water to more than 202,000 clients of DCWD. Currently, there is an existing gap between the water supply and the demand. This is the main reason why there are clients that are not supplied with water 24/7,DCWD spokesperson Bernard Delima said. The bulk water facility that will be built in Tamugan can provide the water requirements of the whole city for the next 30 years. Meanwhile, the DCIPC is targeting a P20-billion worth of investments for this year, lower than the actual investments poured in the city in 2015.

Alert is up on rising sale of illegal cigarettes in Mindanao

HE Philippine Tobacco Institute (PTI) today expressed alarm over the blatant selling of illegal cigarettes smuggled from neighboring countries in many parts of Mindanao to the detriment of consumers and the local economy. These illicit cigarettes are openly displayed and sold in thousands of stores in the provinces of Bukidnon, Lanao del Sur, Lanao Del Norte, Iligan, Misamis Occidental, the Zamboanga Peninsula and the Cotobato region, the PTI stressed. PTI president Rodolfo Salanga advised the public not to buy these illegal cigarettes which are cheaply sold in sari-sari stores and public markets at P18 to P20 per pack because these are unregistered and sold without paying taxes to the government. Today the excise tax due per pack is mandated to be at least P25 per pack. The PTI has also launched a print advertising campaign warning consumers not to take chances on these illegal products. The campaign is running in several local newspapers based in Mindanao. The ad campaign shows pack images of commonly sold smuggled cigarettes Far Star, Fort, American Legend, Union, Navy and Gudang Garam. Based on their packs, these products were supposedly manufactured in China, Indonesia, Malaysia or Cambodia. “You are not sure of the content and the source of these cigarettes. They are not made to the requirements of the Philippines, and often

feature no or non-compliant health warnings,” the PTI said. Salanga said illegal cigarettes are subject to confiscation. “The retailers may also be liable for taxes on these products and may also be subject to criminal prosecution,” he added. “As we call on the public to stop patronizing these illegal cigarettes, we also call on local officials and law enforcement agencies to seize these smuggled products and go after the criminal syndicates behind the proliferation of these illegal cigarettes,” Salanga said. Salanga said everyone is aware of the country’s porous borders especially in the South but such challenges should not stop our law enforcers from being vigilant in implementing our laws. The PTI cited as well the huge losses in tax revenues and customs duties from the illegal entry of these illicit cigarettes which local government units could use for the benefit of their respective constituents. Salanga also raised another alarming revenue leakage problem in Mindanao citing a recent survey that showed less than half of the cigarette packs sold in Davao del Sur carried the new tax stamps of the Bureau of Internal Revenue. The tax stamp serves as proof that excise tax has been paid. He said a World Bank survey as of February 7 showed only 46.5% compliance in Davao del Sur compared to the national average of more than 90%. The new tax stamp requirement of the BIR has been in place since December 2014.

SUMMER FRUIT. Sliced watermelon fruits sold for p10 per slice are selling like hot cakes especially this time of the year when the weather typically gets warmer. Lean Daval Jr.

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 24 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2016

LTO denies giving‘special attention’to vintage cars

HE Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Monday denied giving ‘special attention’ to vintage cars after an administrative order (AO) dated March 1 made news for differentiating how owners should either register or record their vintage cars. “We are not giving special attention. This AO has been pending since last year. It tackles a facility for registration and nothing else,” LTO chief Roberto Cabrera said in a text message. Cabrera did not mention what caused the delay. Administrative order no. RPC-2016-033 is a regulation that covers motor vehicles falling under vintage or antique motor vehicles that are either for registration or recording with the LTO. LTO said that excluded from this order are public

utility vehicles (PUVs), cargo trucks (private/for-hire), service vehicles (hotel limousines, tourist vehicles, car rentals, ambulance, funeral hearse), government vehicles and diplomatic/OEV. Registering the vintage vehicle allows owners to operate it on public roads and highways while recording the vintage vehicle is not intended to be operated on public roads and highways. The AO referred to vintage motor vehicle as those vehicles manufactured at least 40 years prior to the current year or with year mode earlier than 1975, not a reproduction, and which has been maintained in or restored to a condition in conformity with the manufacture specifications and appearance. It is set to take effect on April 17. (PNA)

Election optimism boosts PHL stocks

OCAL share prices started the quarter on a positive note, closing marginally higher on Monday, as investors’ optimism mounts ahead of next month’s general elections. The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) snapped a two-day decline, losing 9.40 points, to 7,254.53 from Friday’s 7,245.13 finish. “The election cycle is one of the major reasons that underpin optimism in equities

WINNING BIDDER. Councilor Jimmy Dureza walks reporters through the request for legislative authority for the City Mayor to sign the joint ventures agreement to be entered in to by and between the city government of

Pru Life launches, new products By CHENEEN R. CAPON

crc@edgedavao.net

that has somehow been clouded over by external headwinds. But now that the headwinds have erased –even as some clouds remain above the horizon – we can feel the rays of optimism beginning to shine on the market,” said Justino Calaycay Jr., head of marketing and research at A&A Securities Inc. Calaycay expects the second quarter to serve as a period when investors will ac-

RU LIFE UK, the Philippine subsidiary of UKbased financial services group Prudential plc rolled out its newest product, PRUlink elite protector 5 (Elite 5), in a bid to meet both the protection and investment needs of the market. “The Elite 5 is a limited-pay investment-linked life insurance product that integrates comprehensive protection with greater opportunity for wealth accumulation,” Pru Life UK president and chief ex-

ecutive officer Antonio Manuel G. de Rosas said in a press conference at the Apo View Hotel last Monday. De Rosas said the Elite 5 has a short paying period of five years, with higher premium allocations that allow for faster fund accumulation. It is available in both peso and dollar denominations, with a minimum premium of P200,000 or US$ 4,500. De Rosas said the Elite 5 followed a premium allocation schedule for five years.

cation of AQSIQ about the destruction of 34.782 MT of fresh banana. The Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI) will also conduct an audit to the company seen with interception due to Maximum Residue Level (MRL). DA Undersecretary for Operations and Agribusiness Emerson Palad said a technical group will go to China to negotiate with AQSIQ and formulate agreements about their importing requirements. Palad said DA is hopeful that the issue is just an isolated case, nevertheless, Secretary Proceso J. Alcala wants the MRL issue or pest issue be promptly addressed.

“DA will not only look into the the problem with China, but will also discuss plans for the b2 the bananas. BPI Director Paz Benavidez clarified that the MRL of the destroyed bananas exceeds the importing standards of China, but did not exceed standards from other countries where Banana is usually exported. “China has 0.01 mg/kg standard of MRL for carbendazim, but Japan has 3.0 mg/ kg standard, while CODEX has 0.2 mg/kg standards MRL. The company that exported the banana was seen to have 0.19 MRL of carbendazim, in other words, they have just exceeded

0.9 mg/kg MRL of carbendazim, but is within Japan and CODEX standard.” Paz Benavidez said. Meanwhile, Regional Director Remelyn R. Recoter assured forum participants that DAwill strengthen its linkage with the banana stakeholders and local government units (LGUs) and provide them updates regarding the actions that will be undertaken. “The DA regional office is providing the technical assistance and coordinate with the LGUs and conduct technical trainings for their technicians,” Recoter added. (Nitt Marie S. Lantayaand ChePalicte of DA11)

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DA assures collective measure in banana export

HE Department of Agriculture (DA) assures collective measures will be undertaken to aid banana industry in exporting their produce. In response to the recent dumping of 34.78 tons of Philippine banana in Shenzhen, China perceived to be exceeding the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) set by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China (AQSIQ). As a result of last week’s stakeholders forum conducted by the DA, aplan of actionwas drafted which includes auditing the findings of the notifi-

BANANA CONSULTATION. DAUndersecretary Emerson Palad (3rd from left)fields questions from the banana stakeholders during the forum on Philippine banana quality standards held recently in Davao City. Joining him in the panel (from L-R): Director Remelyn R. Recoter, DA Assistant

Davao and Mega Harbour Port Development, Inc. the winning bidder of the Davao Coastline and Port Development project, during yesterday’s regular session at Sangguniang Panlungsod. Lean Daval Jr.

Secretary for Agribusiness Leandro Gazmin and BPI Director Paz Benavidez whilePilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA)executive director Stephen Antig (right) ventilates industry’s concerns. (Photo by: Ronell B. Tangonan DA-11)

“Seventy percent of the premium will be allocated to the fund on the first year, while the other 30 percent goes to insurance charges,” he said, adding that the premium allocation for the fund increases until it reaches 100 percent on the fifth and last year. While the product is bent toward greater wealth accumulation, he said, policy holders can enjoy living benefit, disability benefit, and death benefit. “We are targeting ages 35

to 50 years old with a monthly income of P35, 000 which they can use either for education of their children or for their retirement,” he said. Tennyson R. Paras, assistant vice president for market research and product development of PRU Life UK, said Elite 5 is an enhanced version of Prulink Exact Protector 5 which was launched in 2002. Paras said policy holders of Elite 5 enjoy high benefits because of faster wealth ac-

F PRU LIFE, 10

IRRI, DA-PhilRice offering drought-tolerant rice varieties

HE International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) announced Monday its ongoing partnership with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) to breed and disseminate seeds of drought-tolerant rice varieties that can better survive the ongoing El Niño phenomenon. “We have provided PhilRice with the foundation germplasm for climate changeready rice,” said Dr. Bruce Tolentino, IRRI’s deputy director general for communication and partnerships . “DA-PhilRice is multiplying these seeds for distribution to farmers who need them the most.” “It is the poor farmers who suffer the most from the effects of climate change,”Tolentino said. “This is why IRRI has been working hard to develop climate changeready rice varieties that can withstand extreme climatic conditions such as droughts, floods, heat, and cold, and soil problems such as high salt and iron content,” he added. Rice farmers who are currently struggling with the effects of El Niño are particularly interested in drought-tol-

erant rice varieties. The ongoing El Niño is expected to cause much lower rainfall in the first half of 2016 throughout South and Southeast Asia, which includes the major rice-growing countries. “El Niño conditions will worsen livelihoods and may also lead to insufficient food supply for vulnerable farm households,” said Dr. Reiner Wassmann, climate change expert at IRRI. Scientists at IRRI have developed and released drought-tolerant varieties--those that can produce up to 1.2 tons more per hectare than varieties that perform poorly under drought conditions--in several countries, including Sahbhagi dhan in India and the Sookha dhan varieties in Nepal. In the Philippines, according to IRRII, the drought-tolerant rice varieties available to farmers in rainfed lowland farms include Rio Grande, Sacobia, and 12 varieties of Sahod Ulan. Drought-tolerant rice varieties for upland farms include Pasig, Apo, and Katihan 1. In addition to climate change-ready rice varieties,

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7 ENVIRONMENT EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 9 ISSUE 24 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2016

Natural disasters: Getting ready By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

ILIPINOS these days, particularly those in Cotabato and Zamboanga, are experiencing the wrath of the long drought caused by El Niño. Food insecurity has become the norm and there is less water. But what most people don’t anticipate is the coming of another natural disaster: typhoons. Once they start hitting the country one after another, there would be more water causing floods and landslides. In times of war, prepare for peace. In time of peace, prepare for war. So goes a Japanese saying. And American novelist and author Mark Twain said it well: “The calamity that comes is never that one we had prepared ourselves for.” Take the case of Super Typhoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan); it has been touted as the mother of all typhoons to hit the country. The Philippine Atmospheric Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued public storm signal No. 4 for it. Here’s what Associated Press wrote of the typhoon: “Yolanda slammed the island nation with a storm surge two stories high and some of the highest winds ever measured in a tropical cyclone – 314 kilometers per hour as clocked by US satellites, or 237 kilometers per hour based on local reports.” “(The deadliest super typhoon) flattened the Visayas area, destroying hundreds of houses, trees, buildings and other properties, leaving a thousand of dead people,” said the Davao regional office of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) of Davao region in a statement during a workshop on “Iba Na Panahon: Science for Safer Communities.” “We learned a lot from the experience from Yolanda, what a Signal No. 4 typhoon could do to a coastal community and even across regions situated

“The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone places on Earth,” said Kathleen Tierney, director of the Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado. “They’ve got it all. They’ve got earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, tropical cyclones, landslides.”

Learning rescue operation (Photo courtesy of Dr. Ted Esguerra) Rescue operation (Photo courtesy of Dr. Ted Esguerra)

Devastation wrought by typhoon Pablo (Photo courtesy of Darrell Blatchley) along its path,” reminds DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo in his keynote remarks. “The lessons and wounds from this super storm are deep enough for our people to take warnings more seriously from now on.” “The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone places on Earth,” said Kathleen Tierney, director of the Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado. “They’ve got it all. They’ve got earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, tropical cyclones, landslides.” Davao City, the country’s biggest city in terms of total land area, is not spared from such natural disasters. The World Wide Fund for Nature, in its edict entitled Business Risk Assessment and the Management of Climate Change Im-

Flooding in Bankerohan River (Photo by Henrylito D. Tacio)

pacts, recommends that Davao City must be ready for the possible calamities that will likely happen. “Davao City is likely to face the impacts of sea level rise, increases in sea surface temperatures, ocean acidification, and inter-annual variability of rainfall. It is also likely that Davao will become the refuge of many migrants –a trend, which has already begun,” the study said. In a speech delivered during the Davao workshop, Dr. Montejo believed science can be used “to better understand and improve our disaster planning and preparations at the national and local community levels.” His science-based formula in dealing with natural calamities: “Early warning leads to early action. Early action minimizes loss. Therefore, (these) reduced amounts of loss leads to early recovery.” “Every year, between 600 and 800 natural di-

sasters occur, some small and localized, others affecting several countries and many thousands of people,” writes Bob Hansford, disaster risk management advisor at Tearfund, a Christian relief and development agency. In his article, “Managing disaster and building safer communities,” Hansford talk about the four things that happen when a disaster strikes: emergency response, rehabilitation, mitigation, and preparation. “In the first few days and weeks after a disaster, there is a need for search and rescue, medical care, food, water, sanitation and shelter, as well as emotional support,” explains on what an emergency response is. Rehabilitation comes next. “As the weeks pas, houses need to be repaired, water supplies restored, and livelihoods re-instated,” Hansford says. “Rehabilitation is often called recovery.” Mitigation is closely linked to rehabilitation. Examples include: stronger or raised houses, water pumps on raised platforms, alternative crops to cope better with flood or drought. “Mitigation activities help to ‘build back better,’ making the community more resistant to future hazards,” he

says. Preparation is getting ready for the next disaster that comes. For a storm or flood, it means establishing a warning system, setting aside food or water stocks, making ready an evacuation center or training volunteers. But how prepared are Filipinos in terms of disasters? “We do not have a rescue or pre-hospital law in the country,” laments Dr. Teofredo T. Esguerra, a flight surgeon who is an expert on emergency medical services. “Our psyche is not much into it.” Dr. Esguerra, who is with the Philippine Coast Guard Medical Service, handles air medical evacuation, remote and wilderness rescue. He also conducts training – if and when needed. “I usually handle the difficult advance life support interventions,” he says. In some of the training he conducted, he found out that there are quite a number of rescue teams who were ill-trained and ill-equipped. “They don’t have much safety inductions,” says Dr. Esguerra, who is a member of the World Association of Disaster and Emergency Medicine and International Disaster Response Network. “And to think of, they are performing high-end operations.”

When asked on how Filipinos can response to disasters, Dr. Esguerra replies: “Filipinos should make it like a part of their lives. They should be like Japanese who are always prepared; in fact, they have some survival kits which have already become a part of their day-to-day activities.” Indeed, preparedness is the key to reduce the impacts of disaster. On November 8, 2013, Yolanda battered Tulang Diyot, a 1.5-kilometer long by 500-meter-wide island in Camotes group of islands, levelling the houses to the ground. With more than 1,000 people, no casualty was reported. A day before Yolanda hit Eastern Samar, former mayor Alfredo Arquillano told the residents to evacuate to higher grounds with no ifs or buts. “It’s a good decision,” he said. “It’s fair to say it saved everyone’s life. There is not one house left standing on the island; everything was wiped out.” His secret, he heeded the warnings of government agencies like the weather bureau. “It just shows that preparedness pays,” he admitted. “We have been working for years on early warnings, evacuations. The awareness level of the community was so high that it went well.”

EDGEDAVAO

8 VANTAGE

EDITORIAL

VOL. 9 ISSUE 24 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2016

Sacred butts

ERE’S the latest joke. NAIA 1, erstwhile reputed as the world’s worst airport, is bound to lose that distinction. It’s chief rival? NAIA 3. Funny this joke is. But yes, that’s the sad truth. The reason is that government officials particularly the General Manager of the Manila International Airport Jose Angel Honrado and Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya are still in their government posts despite the notorious service track record they have shown as the shepherds of their respective agencies. The same people who made boo-boos at the MRT system, crashing ceilings and malfunctioning air conditioners at the airport are at it again. Their ineptness, negligence and lack of foresight are by now, public knowledge. At the time of the horrendous blackout last Saturday at NAIA 3 which left thousands of passengers stranded and 100 flights affected. And where was Honrado at that time? Nowhere can he be found. The higher officials of this country too were perhaps busy peddling their bet Mar Roxas for the 2016 presidential elections. Honrado reportedly came the following day, when the smoke of confusion cleared after the 5-hour blackout. Secretary Abaya, the man at the helm of government transport was also busy with something else. Angel and Abaya again escaped with an alibi, pointing the blame on Meralco who admit-

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ted the power outage was caused by the power firm but they were able to restore power at NAIA in 45 minutes. Clearly, Meralco should not be blamed for the long blackout. So why did it stretch to 5 hours? It’s the poor maintenance of the airport’s power system that’s the real culprit, not Meralco. As it is, Honrado and Abaya would rather pass the buck. The airports are one of the most vital and crucial public transport facilities which, common sense dictates, should not experience power outages. In the occasion of a power interruption, generator sets should kick in and infuse the power required. The sad thing is, no these airports are not equipped with standby power that could last that long. That’s a very basic requirement, why in the world they missed this one out is definitely not excusable? Despite the new boo-boos committed by these close men, President Aquino is content at the performance of these two government clowns who were merely told not to repeat the mistake again. Just like that? Yes, just like that. Makes people wonder, the spate of ineptitude shown by these two jesters in government agencies must have more than earned the demerits promised by President Aquino. The two were rumored to be in the campaign trail of Roxas, reason why the NAIA 3 was practically left abandoned because its landlord was out politicking. Reason why, they are also indispensable clowns whose butts are sacred.

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HERE in the world can you find a sperm whale, a piranha, a tarsier, some snakes, birds, and soon an elephant together in one place? Don’t look further; you can see them all at D’Bone Collector Museum in Bucana, Davao City. The place is just a walking distance from the Davao City Hall and the San Pedro Parish Church. If you’re lucky, you get to talk with Darrell Dean Blatchley, an American who speaks Bisaya well. I had an opportunity of talking with this tall, handsome young man who is married to a Filipina who’s from Davao, during our visit. “We opened the museum in 2012 with a total of 150 specimens in one-story of the building,” recalls Darrell, who happens to be the museum’s proprietor and curator. (For trivia fanatics: he spends almost half of his life in Davao so he is very familiar with the city.) Today, the total of animal specimens in the three-story building is more than 2,000 (excluding the shell collection). Soon, an elephant will be added. That is, if will be able to raise the money to bring skeleton to the city. Yes, you read it right. All the animals are dead and only skeletons of an entire animal or some parts of its bones are displayed in the museum, which has been named by an award-giving body as one of the top 20 Cool Places in Mindanao. “Our museum is the only one from Davao to make it to the list and we are ranked third,” Darrell says with price. “A group that conduct consultation for museums in Southeast Asia told us that our collection is one of the most extensive they have seen in the region.” Consider this. There are more than 100 terrestrial animal species displayed in the museum. More than 500 aquatic animal

VOL. 9 ISSUE 24 • WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6, 2016

VANTAGE POINTS

Lessons from the bones species, includTHINK ON THESE! ing dugong and pawikan, can be found inside the museum. “Of the 3 known whale and dolphin skeletons on display in the Henrylito D. Tacio Philippines, henrytacio@gmail.com our museum cleaned and assembled 2 of those,” he says. “Worldwide there are 83 species of whales and dolphins. The Philippines has 27 and the Davao Gulf alone has at least 18. On display in the museum are 14 species.” Collecting bones and skeletons is nothing new. But using it as a way of educating people in saving the environment is another. One of those who supported Darrell in his cause was the late councilor Leonardo R. Avilla III. At one time, Avilla said of Darrell: “Most of us self-professed environmentalists are committed to save the environment – we plant trees, we dispose our garbage properly, we save water, we observed Earth Hour every year. But Darrell’s way of preserving the environment makes our combined efforts almost trivial.” Throughout history, bones are the remembrance of a life’s existence. “For me, bones are the ultimate learning tool,” Darrell says. “So much can still be learned upon death. It tells you the life of the animal; whether it had a good life (healthy bones) or a hard life (cracked and deformed bones).” Among those being displayed are a 41foot long sperm whale and bones of Grizzly bear. Bones and skeletons of snakes,

tarsier, marine turtles, various fish species, different sizes of the mouths of sharks, and birds abound. “Each group that goes to the museum gets a tour about the animals found in each of the displays. One of the things we show to them is how some of the animals have died due to humans throwing garbage into the ocean or canals and how these kill the whales and dolphins,” Darrell explains. Every animal displayed has a story. There’s Mercy, a dwarf sperm whale, which died in a fish net. “She was still alive when the fishermen found her but they killed her thinking she was a shark that got tangled in their net,” Darrell says. “When she was dead and they realized that she wasn’t something valuable or edible, they threw her back into the sea. When we recovered her, we discovered she was pregnant.” Another one is a false killer whale named Alcoholic because he was found dead with a bottle of alcoholic beverage inside the stomach. Another marine mammal died from a piece of plastic wrapper. All in all, about 37 whales and dolphins on display that died due to garbage (mostly plastic like candy wrapper), trapped in fishing nets, dynamite fishing, and loss of food in their habitat. A lot of the animals found in the museum are very seldom seen. “That for me is sad,” Darrell says. “It is because of human neglect, waste, carelessness, over harvesting, or greed that they are now endangered. I want people to know this fact before these species would be gone forever.” Awareness campaign is what Darrell is doing. “You don’t have to stop a whaling ship to save one of these animals,” he says. “Just by properly throwing away your garbage, you can save one. It takes only two steps to the garbage can or doing nothing by throwing the plastic bag on the ground.

By not buying that endangered parrot which the poacher has for sale outside the mall is another. Little things like these that when you add them all make a huge difference.” Indeed, Blatchley is making a huge difference among Filipinos. An American citizen (he was born in the United States), he spent his childhood in Thailand. When he was 15, the family moved to the Philippines, where his parents work helping poverty-stricken and displaced children in Davao City through the Family Circus Children’s Ministries (FCCM). Although he is the owner of the museum, he still works with his parents as youth pastor. “Working in the museum is dealing with dead animals. But with young people, I am dealing with real people who can still be taught,” Darrell says. Some of the young people even work with them. “We have a boarding house that we currently have six of our teens living in,” he says. Some of the children who come to the FCCM have no family to speak of; others may have been kicked out from their own homes. “By working with them, they are given training in life that they would not get elsewhere. They are taught self-respect, discipline, and financial management.” Darrell, however, sees his work with the bone museum as not that noble. “God cares for His animals and we humans should take care of His creations,” he says. “But the most important thing is still our fellow beings. The museum merely teaches us to be good stewards of what is around us.” At the museum, you don’t only get to see those bones and skeletons but you also get to know how to care for our environment. Entrance fee is P70 for children and students and P80 for adults. It is open from Mondays to Fridays, from 8 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon.

three things: MY TWO CENTS’ The first is what I call PPA Platform, Program and Agenda. These e n c a p s u l a te the reason for a candidates running, which we, as John Tria voters, ought ecisouth@gmail.com to understand. Three “juries” that people referred to in the last debate were the following: the netizens through the Inquirer and Rappler polls, the Rappler editors and lawyer and former Congressman Teddy Locsin Jr. Curiously, the lawyer Locsin and the netizens scored it for Duterte by a mile, while the Rappler ed-

itors scored it for Roxas and Poe in the two respective rounds. The SWS Bilang Pilipino Survey scored it Poe and Duterte with Binay and Roxas far behind. I don’t really consider the Philippine Star and Inquirere debate polls all too credible, as they were closed almost two days after the debate, when other issues and events may have already intervened, and the threat of online robot voting may already be able to influence the outcome. All that said, the rather mixed response from the “juries” reveal what we are not used to seeing presidentiables debate, as we are unsure about how we read many of the issues they supposedly advocate and represent. Knowing who debates well is for college students, and not entirely the point of a presidential debate, but that is what former US president Richard Nixon thought when

he faced then Senator John F. Kennedy in the first ever televised US presidential debates in 1960. The landmark debate, footage of which are still studied in US universities today, reveal the power of the look and the manner of speaking, and the impressions created in the minds of voters about the given candidate. As such, veteran debate observers and the media at that time scored the debate in favor of the Nixon who with his legal training sought to demolish the young democrat from Massachusetts, while opinion polls scored it for the cool and collected, and well, good looking Kennedy with his Bostonian accent and fresh-from-California tan. Again, its not about who is the eloquent speaker and Its about who has a grasp of what more people understand as the issues at stake in the election, and who can connect his agenda with these voters.

Going beyond debates: Exposing pretense and fraud (part 1)

N the recent presidential debates a lot of facts and propaganda, analysis and counteranalysis was thrown about both in mainstream and social media. I would like to list some of them for the sake of our readers currently evaluating their choices. First pretense killed: that the presidential debates are about who is the best debater. While it may be the case for college debate teams, senators, members of the house of representatives and city councilors where propositions and legislative proposals are argued about and under, the process of progressive debate vets the practicability, necessity and benefit of the proposition. Awards are given for best speaker and debater. It is about form more than substance. In a presidential debate the focus is on

10 NEWS Comelec... FROM 2

ballot and make sure that they voted the candidates they like as they can no longer change anything once the ballot has been fed to the machine and it has issued a receipt. “Eh ngayon one second na lang eh. So wala na rin yun, hindi mo na makikita kung may pagkakamali ka. So ang hamon diyan sa botante na siguraduhin na malinis yung balota niya, na lahat na nilagay niya doon ay yun na yun, touch move na talaga tayo,” he added. The poll body official said that if ever the voter had protested, the Board of Election

Inspector (BEI) would just note it in the minutes of the voting. “Kung may reklamo ang botande, ano mangyayari? Yung reklamo niya ino-note sa minutes ng ating voting,” he said. Jimenez explained that once the receipt was issued and signed by the BEI for authentication, the voter would drop it to the receptacle before he/she left the voting area. He added that the poll body is in the process of revising the General Instructions (GI) for the May 9 polls. (PNA)

surance that the donation will not be perceived as propaganda on the part of Duterte since North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou ‘Lala’ Taliño-Mendoza strongly warned all candidates not to use the incident for their propaganda. “This might be interpreted as a campaign on the candidacy of Mayor Duterte,” Militar told Avanceña-Agustin. Avanceña-Agustin replied the city has sought advice from the Commission on Election (Comelec) 11 on the ways to distribute the rice yesterday. “After the approval of this resolution or ordinance we will write the Comelec to ask for an approval for the exemption on election ban. If the Comelec will approve the exemption that is the time that we will disperse the trucks to deliver the 15,000 sacks of rice,” she said. Militar recommended to Avanceña-Agustin to include in the ordinance that the delivery and release of the 15,000 sacks of rice should be after the approval of the Comelec.

She accepted the recommendation of Militar saying that the polling will approve the exemption maybe within this week since it is an important matter. City Social Service and Development Office (CSSDO) head Malou Bermudo said, for her part, the distribution of the rice will not go directly to the protesting farmers who asked for it, but through the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC). Bermudo said the city also coordinated with the Municipal Social Welfare Offices in North Cotabato to have complete lists of famers who are affected with the drought. “We will coordinate with the Municipal Social Welfare Offices because they are the ones who know the beneficiaries,” she said. She said based on the data provided to their offices, the municipalities that are affected with the dry spell are Arakan Valley, President Roxas, Magpet, Antipas and some parts of Kidapawan City.

cumulate stocks and beef up their portfolio, believing to historical evidence that the second quarter of an election year generally provided equities gains regardless of poll results. He said Monday’s gains were also inspired by the advance in share prices in the United States (US) Friday night on improved manufacturing and jobs data. The Dow Jones Industrial Average booked triple-digit, falling less than 10 points below the 17,800-mark. The

S&P500 added 13.04 points while tech-heavy Nasdaq finished with gains of nearly 1 percent. At home, counters were mixed, with only the services and mining and oil finishing in the negative territory. The sub-indices of other sectors rose slightly. Volume of transactions reached 1.48 billion shares valued at Php5.17 billion. Advancers outpaced decliners, 110 to 83, while 54 issues unchanged. (PNA)

cumulation. The short paying period will also give holders the convenience compared to those insurance products that needs longer payment period. Policy holders, he said, enjoy the flexibility of choosing where to invest their premium from among Pru Life UK’s extensive fund portfolio and will be managed by Asia’s largest retail asset manager Eastsprings Investments (Singapre) Ltd.- a unit of Eastspring Investment. Paras also said the 20-year firm is also eyeing on developing insurance products that offers greater wealth accumu-

lation on long-term payment period. Meanwhile, the firm is planning to intensify its presence in Mindanao which it considered as a potential market. Of the 105 branches nationwide, PRU Life UK has already established outlets in Davao City, Cagayan de Oro and in General Santos City for Mindanao. The Pru Life UK ranks third among life insurance companies in the country with its total weighted premium of more than P10.7 billion in 2015.

P31.5-M... FROM 2

Election... FROM 6

Pru Life... FROM 6

EDGEDAVAO

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City Bishop Romulo Valles has confirmed that authenticity of the letter, which was signed by one of the Pope’s secretaries. The PDP-Laban standard-bearer got the ire of the

public for cursing the Holy Father during his proclamation rally in Manila last year. Duterte said that he wrote the letter for his peace of mind. (PNA)

tion through a school-based immunization approach. We are the first country to introduce, adopt and implement the first-ever dengue vaccine through public health system and under public school settings. With this breakthrough, we can now expand our immunization services to address a disease that is of public health importance,” Secretary Garin said. The vaccine, manufactured by the French pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur, will be administered in three doses to be given separately in the interval of six months. Under the program, the first dose of the vaccine will be given from April to June 2016, followed by the second dose in October–December 2016, and the last dose in April-June 2017. The vaccine was procured at a cheaper price by the government through negotiations wherein the French company agreed to provide the vaccine at a discounted price so that more poor children in the country will benefit from it or be protected from dengue. The children are the first targets because based on studies, children are most susceptible to the dengue- biting mosquitoes. By vaccinating these children, the government is in effect reducing the source of the disease, therefore lessening also the chances of transmission of dengue as the vaccinated children will not become the source of dengue infection in case they are bitten by dengue-carrying mosquitoes. In effect, said children can also protect the other family members around them and in their communities. On top of it all, the reduction of dengue cases and severe form that can result to hospitalization will also be reduced. In addition, children absenteeism in school, lost of productivity, family expenses and emotional burden will also be prevented in the process as beneficial effects. During the launching, Secretary Garin reiterated that the dengue vaccine, which will be administered to selected elementary public school students, was licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last December. The license was approved several months after the company first applied for its licensure in the country. Dr. Garin also said that the Dengvaxia vaccine is a result of more two decades of efficacy and safety studies across

10 endemic countries and involved more than 30,000 children from various states. She added that 23 additional clinical studies were considered as basis for approval. The vaccine was given exemption by the Formulary Executive Council (FEC). She also said that the vaccine was prequalified and had also secured licenses from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) not only in the Philippines but also in Mexico, Brazil and two other countries. “In other words, these countries will not make the dengue vaccine available to the private sectors if it is not safe,” she said. Garin also said that the DOH has established a strict monitoring and surveillance system for any adverse events and side effects that may be experienced from the immunization. Together with other health experts, she allayed any fears and said that side effects are common, just like in any other vaccines. Other experts from the medical societies who expressed support to the program assured that the side effects usually last only up to 24 hours and are all manageable. Since December 2015, the DOH has conducted orientations to parents, teachers, vaccinators, and medical professional groups on the dengue vaccine in the regions where it will be administered. Health provides in each region were also trained to develop their own operational plans to ensure smooth immunization activities in their areas. Part of the orientations conducted gave instructions on how to handle any occurrence of side effects and securing of consent from parents by explaining to them in ParentsTeachers Association (PTA) meeting the beneficial effects of the dengue vaccine. The Philippines had the highest incidence of dengue cases in the Western Pacific Region from 2013 to 2015. As of Feb. 20, 2016, a total of 18,790 suspected dengue cases were reported nationwide. This was 13.2 percent higher compared to the same period last year which had a total of 16,606 cases. Most of the cases were from Region IV-A with 3,182 cases out of 18,790 (16.9 percent); Region III, with 2,596 cases (13.8 percent); and NCR, 1,479 cases (7.9 percent). (PNA)

IRRI has also developed water-saving technologies such as alternate wetting and drying (AWD). AWD is regarded

as one of the more important rice cultivation methods that can dramatically save freshwater irrigation. (PNA)

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Smartmatic... FROM 3 awarded as the bidder with the lowest calculated responsive bid, having complied with all the bidding and technical requirements provided for by the law and the terms of reference of the said bidding,” the petition said. They also argued that since the setting up of the NTSC Service would have to start by April 4, 2016, there is an urgent necessity for the issuance of the writ that would prevent the BAC from award-

ing the contract to Smartmatic Joint Venture. “[Smartmatic] is clearly not the lowest calculated responsive bidder as their posted bid price of Php 122.71 million is much higher than the bid price of Northern Worx Joint Venture, who submitted the lowest calculated bid with a bid of Php 90.88 million with a glaring difference of Php 31.82 million to the prejudice of both the petitioner and the government,” they said. (PNA)

serious and deeply rooted that these cannot be easily defeated,” Escudero said. Cayetano, however, stressed that Escudero’s cynical attitude is an illustration of his “lack of conviction” to end the country’s pressing problems. “With all due respect to Sen. Escudero, I’d like to reiterate what I said before. Failure is guaranteed for those who do not even want to try,” Cayetano noted. “It’s frustrating to see our fellow public servants lack the passion and optimism to change the country. All the while, they continue to offer the same solutions that failed miserably in the past,” he added. Cayetano said amid the criticisms, he and Duterte stand firm on their commitment to fight crime and corruption in their first few months in office. “It will not be easy, but Mayor Duterte and I

are ready to do it. Through our bold solutions, in six months’ time, we can make our streets safe again and cleanse our government of corrupt officials,” he stressed. This was not the first time Cayetano defended their tandem’s proposed policies against Escudero’s criticisms. Back in January, Escudero also expressed disapproval of Duterte’s call for federalism. He said it would not work well in the Philippine setup, a statement which Cayetano dubbed as a “classic Manila-centric” attitude. “The very essence of Federalism is to ensure that growth and prosperity are spread to every part of the Philippines, not just in Manila. It’s a pity that Senators Poe and Escudero are against this. Kawawa naman ang ibang parte ng bansa kung sila ang mamumuno,” Cayetano earlier said.

hance our hybridization program. We are also planning to expand our model farm from 60 hectares to 178 hectares,” Notarte added. In their second straight win, Davao Oriental provincial agriculturist Rotchie Ravelo said that their province had been consistent in promoting the rice sufficiency program. He said DA’s support for inputs, trainings and massive assistance on palay seeds enabled them to sustain its remarkable performance. Ravelo also cited the adequate water system from the Aragon Dam which provided irrigation services to 1,000 hectares of paddy fields in the province. The Aragon Dam is considered as the biggest irrigation project constructed under the DA’s Mindanao Rural Development Program (MRDP). Davao Oriental also attributed the award to their rice expansion program and the canal disilting initiated by

DA11 along with other government agencies. Other winners from the Davao Region includes: Outstanding Municipality – Magsaysay, Davao del Sur and Outstanding Irrigators’ Associations - Balutakay San Isidro Farmers IA Inc. and Gravity Irrigators Service Association, Inc. both from San Isidro, Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. A total of 12 Agricultural Extension Workers (AEW) from Davao region also made it to the list of national winners, led by Antonia O. Marfil from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPAG) in Davao del Sur while Manuel L. Tecson, will be awarded as the outstanding Local Farmer Technician (LFT). The winning town and Irrigators’ Associations each received a plaque of recognition and a cash prize of P1 million, while the AEW’s and LFT’s each received a P20,000 cash prize aside from the plaque of recognition. (Che D. Palicte DA-11)

in Purok Bong Datal of Sitio Glandang in Barangay Kablon was destroyed by a fire that was believed to have originated from a camp site of forest poachers. The Mt. Matutum Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) ordered the closure

of the entire area to trekkers starting on Thursday last week as result of the grass and forest fires. Mt. Matutum, which is South Cotabato’s highest peak, straddles the towns of Tupi, Polomolok and Tampakan. (MindaNews)

Cayetano... FROM 3

Davao... FROM 4

25 families... FROM 4

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MOA Signing. (from left to right) TESDA Davao City/Sur Provincial Director Engr. Nestor Tabada, Davao Light and Power Co. President Jaime Jose Y. Aboitiz, TESDA XI Regional Director Dr. Gaspar Gayona and Davao Light’s EVP and COO Arturo Milan sign the Memorandum Of Agreement to seal partnership for the Basic Electrical Lineman’s Training Center of Mindanao or Project BELT.COM on March 18, 2016 at Davao Light’s Ponciano office. Also in photo are Davao Light’s managers and executives.

adopts new academic DLPC, Aboitiz Foundation, TESDA USeP calendar for 2016 ink pact for Project BELT.COM T A PA RT N E RS H I P among Davao Light and Power Co. (DLPC), Aboitiz Foundation Inc. and TESDA XI was sealed through signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for Basic Electrical Lineman’s Training Center of Mindanao or Project BELT. COM last March 18. Project BELT.COM aims to build a lineman’s training and assessment facility

at the regional training center of TESDA in Tibungco, Davao City. Once operational, this will be the first lineman facility in Mindanao. “With Project BELT.COM, we hope to increase the pool of qualified linemen that will help address the shortage of qualified and certified linemen in the power industry. In Davao City alone, the demand for skilled linemen is very high with the increas-

ing demand for power that would entail construction of new transmission and distribution lines.” said Jaime Jose “Jim” Aboitiz, Davao Light President in his message during the event. Also present during the MOA Signing are Davao Light EVP and COO Arturo Milan, TESDA Regional Director Dr. Gaspar Gayona and the Provincial Director Engr. Nestor Tabada.

Moreover, in Project BELT.COM, a training module will also be developed and be appropriately registered under TESDA’s Unified Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Program Registration and Accreditation System. With this, once a trainee passes the training and assessment, he will get an NC II or National Certificate II from TESDA.

tan to Agusan del Sur via Sitio Kapatagan, is now in progress under the supervision of the Department of Public Works and Highways. The project is in contract with Sebastian Constructions and is expected to be completed on December 14, this year. Prior to the formal ground-breaking ceremony, a ritual was observed by the

Langilan-Manobo tribe elders led by Bae Maria Sugatan, Datu Benito Mantayona, and Datu Laris Masaloon. The ritual, which involved prayers to the diwata, animal offerings, traditional dancing, and a blessing, was witnessed by Kapalong Municipal Mayor Edgar Timbol and Vice Mayor Ma. Theresa Timbol along with the other officials of Ba-

rangay Gupitan. Del Rosario, during the groundbreaking ceremony said, “Sino ba ang mag-aakala na magkakaroon tayo ngayon ng ganitong project dito sa Patel?” (Who would have thought that we could have a project like this here in Patel?) Sitio Patel was once tagged as an NPA-haven and was even featured twice on

Kapalong-Agusan Sur farm-to-market road underway

AVAO del Norte Governor Anthony Del Rosario spearheads the groundbreaking ceremony of the Patel-Kapatagan Bridge in Sitio Patel, Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, DDN on Monday. The farm-to-market road, which will soon connect the Municipality of Kapalong via Sitio Patel in Barangay Gupi-

Davao del Norte Governor Anthony Del Rosario spearheads the formal groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Patel-Kapatagan Bridge which will soon connect the Municipality of Kapalong to Agusan del Sur.

HE University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) has approved the shift of the university’s academic calendar upon recommendation of the school’s academic and administrative councils. This after the USeP Board of Regents decided to shift the new academic calendar during its meeting last March 18. In a statement, the move went through consultations with the stakeholders of the University. Beginning this school year, USeP will implement this academic calendar: first semester – August to December; second semester - January to May; and break: June and July. The rationale behind the shift lies on the synchronization of the academic calendar with most of the universities abroad, specifically with the international academic partners of USeP. The shift of the academic calendar will solve the problem with semestral gaps with partner universities. Guided by its vision “A premier University in the ASEAN Region”, the Universi-

national television due to violent incidents involving the military and the communist rebels. The on-going development in Patel and nearby areas, however, resulted from the area being declared “cleared of insurgency” and the consequent effort of both local and national government agencies of delivering relevant social services and projects to the community. The inauguration and blessing of the new “Kadyawan” Center (Tribal Center) and Potable Water System of Sitio Patel were also con-

ty seeks to deepen its worldwide engagement, thus, the university academic calendar adjustment was made. The harmonization of the academic calendar with most of the schools in the ASEAN countries is just among the steps that USeP took in order to prepare for the full implementation of the ASEAN Integration. This shift is just the beginning as USeP continuously seeks ways and means in order to serve its clientele better. USeP is also preparing for its ISO certification and accreditation from appropriate governing agencies to further comply with global standards and ensure the quality of education and graduates that the University produces each year. Overall, USeP looks forward to more international partnerships that will help cultivate good experiences, impart best practices from first world universities, and understand culture differences in various countries, for its faculty and students, preparing them for the stiffer competition that comes along with the ASEAN Integration.

ducted subsequent to the groundbreaking ceremony. The activities were attended by Kapalong Indigenous Peoples’ Mandatory Representative Datu Arturo Davao, Gupitan Barangay Captain Evangelio Warag and other officials and tribal leaders of Gupitan. Also in attendance were Engr. Jun Alviar and Ms. Aurora Lacasandile of DPWH, Engr. Petronilo Sebastian, Jr. of Sebastian Constructions, P/Supt. Ireneo Dalogdog of PNP Davao del Norte, and Lt. Col. Emmanuel Canilla of the 60th Infantry Battalion.

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EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

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COOKIES FOR A CAUSE: Dance King Chris Martin in Davao City

By: Athena Jillian Bravo

“DANCING is so important to me. It is my passion and my career.” –Chris Martin Chris Martin is a Fil-Am Los Angeles-based performer whose passion for dancing is is so infectious he practically mutiplies the dancing community with new converts after each performance or lesson. That virus-like passion is felt by dyed-in-the-wool dance addicts after Chris Martin, whose mother is a Filipina, came in the flesh to Davao City for the very first time to share his talent through a dance workshop called “Cookie For A Cause.” The one-night only event was staged at the SmashVille Fitness Center on March 22. Why Cookie For A Cause? The event is not just an ordinary show. It’s actually a fund-raiser event organized by The Creative and co-presented by Creative Movement, whose goal is to help improve local choreographers and dancers with the help of Chris Martin, a member of Choreo Cookies. Chris Martin an internationally recognized choreographer credited for leading his group in winning first place in a number of international competitions just like the World Of Dance in San Diego and Los Angeles. Davao’s dance community were a very lucky lot to get a chance to meet Chris Martin in person and learn from him the latest in hiiphop dance steps. The number of expected registrants raced to a hundred leaving the dance studio jampacked and sweltering hot all throughout the night. Chris Martin taught his choreography for the song entitled “Worlds on Fire” by Zerbin to the delight of workshop participants. The dancing phenom said he has a lot to thank dancing for because it is how he met a lot of communities in the world bringing people together which he thinks is really important. “It allows people to come together and express

what we have in common to each other and I think that’s why dancing is so, so important to me,” he said. Through the threehour session, Chris Martin made dancers express and communicate with each other through the routine he showcased in the workshop. The Facebooking and IGramming flock who joined and witnessed the workshop expressed their gratitude to Chris Martin through social media say-

EVENT A4

Young Dabawenyo dance enthusiasts learn new hip-hop steps with Chris Martin on stage.

With the The Creative at Chipen’s.

Chris Martin at Java Jive for a video interview.

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EVENT

A flavor celebration By Kenneth Irving Ong THE ATRIUM OF SM LANANG PREMIER was the venue of what could be Durianburg’s tastiest event as it recently launched SM Supermall’s Mindanao leg of its “Flavor Fusion” campaign. Titled “Davao on a Plate”, the event which took its inspiration from Madrid Fusion Manila gathered the top chefs of Davao City onto one venue to showcase the city’s unique culinary artistry.

“Flavor Fusion is actually SM’s way of demonstrating our support for the city-wide Visit Davao Fun Sale 2016 and the Department of Tourism’s Flavors of the Philippines campaign,” said Mr. Oliver John Tiu, SM Superman’s VP for Operations Mindanao, “We would like to be the platform where the best of Davao cuisine could be showcased and appreciated by all, tourists and locals alike.” Chefs who participated during the well-attended event were Crazy Cook’s Carmina del Rosario, Viking’s Chef Anton Abad, Park Inn by Radisson Davao’s Chef Jovi Uy, Marco Polo Davao’s Chef Alex Destriza, Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao’s Chef Victor Barangan, Chippens’ Chef Chino San Jose, Bistro Selera’s Chef Googie Sanga, and CACS’s Chef Eliseo de Guzman Jr. The Davao Crocodile Park, Sun Made Brown Rice, and Kitayama Beef also participated during the event. Aside from the launch event, there will be live culinary demonstrations featuring Vikings and Marco Polo Davao on April 9 at 4 in the afternoon and Park Inn by Radisson Davao and Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao on April 10 also at 4 in the afternoon.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Kris Bernal excited to tour and meet GMA Pinoy TV subscribers in Europe

FOLLOWING THE SUCCESSFUL RUN OF HER GMA PRIMETIME SHOW LITTLE NANAY, Kris Bernal is Europe-bound for a well-deserved break this April! Aside from visiting scenic landmarks in the continent and doing a bit of shopping on the side, the Starstruck alumna is pumped to meet GMA Pinoy TV subscribers based in Europe.

For Kris, her upcoming Euro trip is a fitting reward for her hard work these past months. Kris also considers it as an opportunity for her to immerse in a new culture. Accompanying the Kapuso actress in her adventure are her twin sisters, who Kris will be relying on to point her to some of

the country’s prime destinations. Of all the items on Kris’ bucket list, touching base with her Kapuso in the region on April 8 is one of the activities that excite her the most about her journey. “When GMA Pinoy TV arranged for me to visit the Philippine Embassy in the UK, I couldn’t help but say “wow” because I’ll be meeting my fellow Pinoys in a place that is so new to me! Alam kong marami akong mapapasaya. I’m excited to hear about their stories about life in the UK,” Kris gushed. The meet-and-greet with Kris will take place at the Philip De Vera Salon on Earl’s Court in London. Kris will also participate in the ceremonial switch on of the GMA Pinoy TV feed in the establishment, with members of

the press in attendance. On the same day, Kris will be taken to a stunning tour of London on board a special GMA Pinoy TV-branded London taxicab. Representatives of Lyca TV, the carrier of GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International in Europe, will be at Kris’ side as she visits iconic British landmarks such as the Big Ben, London Eye, and Buckingham Palace, and pays a courtesy call to the Philippine Embassy. Just like what GMA Pinoy TV is to its subscribers, Kris hopes to bridge the gaps separating Filipinos in Europe from their homeland. “My goal is to make our kababayans feel that they can easily reach out to me, and the Philippines – home -- is never far away.”

Motorcycle Diaries celebrates 5th anniversary MOTORCYCLE DIARIES TURNS FIVE THIS YEAR and for the whole month of April, Peabody Awardee Jay Taruc will take viewers to a special expedition to explore a country that has great influence on our history, tradition, and culture—Spain. Beginning April 7 (Thursday), Jay will ride his motorcycle to Madrid, San Sebastian, and Barcelona to visit some of the ageold yet grand structures in Spain. He will sample the country’s food, discover its culture, and get to know some of the Filipinos living here. Madrid is known for its rich art collection and since Jay is

an art lover, he won’t miss the opportunity to go to the world’s largest art convention: the Arco Madrid. Here he will see that some of the artworks on display are made by renowned Filipino artist Manuel Ocampo. Bullfighting is not just a sport but also a form of art in Spain. Jay will go to a bull ranch where he will be taught how to become a

bullfighter. Motorcycle Diaries will also indulge in a food trip in San Sebastian, considered the “culinary capital of Europe” where many Michelin restaurants can be found. Jay will also visit some of the famous tourist attractions such as the Sagrada Familia—popular not just as a favorite worship place but also for its intricate designs that reflect the work of Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi. These and more stories await viewers on this four-part Spain Expedition of New York Festivals World Bronze Medalist Motorcycle Diaries, Thursday, after State of the Nation with Jessica Soho on GMA News TV.

Direk Mark Reyes tells ‘Encantadia’ fans to focus more on the brilliant story rather than the cast ENCANTADIA DIRECTOR MARK REYES shared some exciting news about the upcoming GMA Telebabad show during the cosplay event called NexCon3 held at SMX Convention Center yesterday, April 3.

Aside from cosplayers, the show’s fans Encantadiks are also present at the event as they waited for Direk Mark’s updates on the show. During his speech, he admitted that today’s generation of viewers is the hardest to please. “You cannot please everybody,” he said. Before the revelation of the whole cast, especially those who will portray the iconic roles of the four Sang’gres, Encantadia team is expecting different reactions from the fans. “When you look at Danaya, you think of Diana Zubiri. When you look at Pirena, you think of

April 6, 2016

BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill

Encantadia’s new Sang’gres together with Direk Mark. Sunshine Dizon. Okay, leave an requel that GMA is set to launch open mind,” Direk Mark reminded this year from the previous show the Encantadiks. which was a big hit in 2005. “The He added, “Don’t focus on the costumes were used to be out of actors that we’re getting. Focus fiber glass [but] now, we have 3D on what is exciting which is the printing,” he told. story that we’re going to be giving “So beyond the cast which we’re you and the advancement in very excited about, there’s so much production.” more reasons to watch the show. Direk Mark even cited a major It’s the story that you’re going to advancement to differentiate the get,” he ended.

1:00 | 4:00 | 7:00 | 10:00 LFS

MR. RIGHT Anna Kendrick, Tim Roth, Sam Rockwell R16

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

ELEMENTO Cristine Reyes, Albert Solis R13

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10 CLOVERFIELD LANE John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead R13

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EVENT A1 ing the event has been a big opportunity for them to improve their skills in dancing. “When he shared at what age he started dancing, I came to the realization, that dancing is not a fast process, but never a slow one, you only make it slower by giving up. Train insane, or remain the same,” Patrick Osorio, Jose Maria College high school student said. This event was backed up by supporteers Chippens, Chez Nous, The Patrons, Slick, Java Jive, Edge Davao, Sun Star Davao, Krispy Kreme, Bhajia Pizza, Stre3ts, Divino Family, Paglas Family, Councilor Bonifacio Militar, Councilor Louie John Bonguyan, Darlene and Jack Estuart and Mackee Delos Reyes. The Creative’s aim is to establish an “anti-cultural” art community by bringing artists from different genres of art into one channel. To more about the company like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheCreativePh or follow them on Twitter and Istagram at @thecreative_dvo.

LA-based dance phenom Chris Martin takes over the stage and got into the groove with workshop participants in “Cookie for a Cause.”

DAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENT

With Jan Aleksi Larion of The Patrons and Toffee Ang of Stre3ts.

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NEWS 13

US Defense chief due for ‘Balikatan’

We are now hiring for the ff. job vacancies:

1. CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICER (C.S.O.) Scope of Work: • Handling of customer services (e.g. inquiries, complaints, scheduling of services) • Preparation of quotation for clients • STARTING SALARY: P12, 000 (BASED ON PRIOR EXPERIENCE) 2. TECHNICAL ENGINEER (T.E.) Scope of Work: • Installation/Programming/Configuration for the ff. products *CCTV, PABX, PABGM, INTERCOM, BIOMETRICS, ACCESS CONTROL, FIRE ALARM • STARTING SALARY: P13, 000 (BASED ON PRIOR EXPERIENCE) 3.ACCOUNTS MANAGER (A.M.) Scope of Work: • Sales & Marketing for New Clients • STARTING SALARY: P15, 000 UP (BASED ON PRIOR EXPERIENCE) 4. STORE SUPERVISOR Scope of Work: • Responsible for daily store operation • Handling of manpower

Please email your resume to: sales@vmtech.com.ph or marcxtian@yahoo.com For walk in applicants, you may call the ff. branches: Cebu Office: (032) 2380912 Globe: 09173293471 • Sun: 09255014723 Davao Office: (082) 2212789 Globe: 09177952469 • Sun: 09322448030

S Defense Secretary Ash Carter will be coming to the Philippines to personally observe Filipino and US troops during the “Balikatan” exercises.

This was confirmed by US “Balikatan” exercise director Lt. Gen. John Toolan during Monday’s opening ceremonies. “The secretary is (going) to

be here toward the end of the exercise and he’s (going), actually observe a couple of things, he’s very interested in, what I mentioned earlier about the high mobility rocket system and how that works and he’s also (going) spend some time out at sea with the US Navy ships that’s gonna be out there and so and I believe that really his main purpose here is to come and reaffirm that the relationship that we have with the Philippines is rock solid, and we’re side-by-side,” he added. The high mobility rocket system is also known as HIMARS, or the “M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System”. It is a US light multiple rocket launcher mounted on a standard Army medium tactical vehicle truck frame. Two HIMARS units will participate in the “Balikatan” exercises. Each HIMARS platform is worth over USD 5 million and can carry six rockets or one MGM-140 ATACMS missile on the US Army’s new family of medium tactical vehicles fiveton truck, and can launch the entire multiple launch rocket system family of munitions. It is interchangeable with the MLRS M270A1, carrying half the rocket load. The launcher is C-130 transportable. “Balikatan 2016” formally opened Monday and will end on the 15th. Some 3, 773 Filipino soldiers and 4, 904 US troops take part in the two-week military maneuvers. (PNA)

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10 cars to Look out for at the Manila International Auto Show 2016

HE Manila International Auto Show or MIAS has become a summer tradition for petrol heads and car enthusiasts alike. Already dubbed the biggest motor show in the country based on floor space, this year’s outing sees 19 brands duke it out for your attention. With MIAS celebrating its 11th anniversary this year, it’s fitting to filter the 300 or so car exhibits and come up with the 10 cars you should spot during the show. So without further ado, these are the stars, in alphabetical order, of the 11th Manila International Auto Show. Chevrolet Sail With the Sub-B passenger car market becoming the country’s fastest growing vehicle segment, it’s no surprise that Chevrolet wants a piece of that action. With its Sonic now available solely as a hatchback, there’s now room to introduce the Sail. Already big in other emerging markets such as China, the sculpted and slender Sail is built atop Chevrolet’s new-generation small car architecture. It promises unrivaled spaciousness and safety thanks to its highstrength body. It’s also fuel efficient thanks to its family of small-displacement engines (1.3- and 1.5-liter) mated to a 5-speed manual as well as the use of an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system. Hyundai Veloster Already previewed once four years ago, Hyundai is finally, finally, finally introducing the Veloster for the local market. Thanks to the implementation of Euro-4 emission standards, car enthusiasts will

IA MOTORS has once again reinforced its reputation for the highest design standards, picking up two prizes at the 2016 ‘Red Dot Awards’ for Product Design, one of the most prestigious international product design competitions. The new Kia Sportage compact SUV and Optima sedan – the carmaker’s two latest models – both received coveted ‘Red Dots’. The independent judging panel even honored the Kia Optima with a ‘Best of the Best’ award, the competition’s highest distinc-

finally have a taste for Hyundai’s unique three-door sports coupe. The high-performance yet fuel-efficient GDI or Gasoline Direct Injection engine that powers the Veloster boasts of a shorter, more direct path of fuel delivery while allowing for greater control of the fuel mixture at the optimum moment improving efficiency. Hyundai engines equipped with GDI also use a higher than normal compression ratio for increased power while “dished” pistons are present to increase combustion efficiency. Along with the Veloster, Hyundai is also displaying its new commercial vehicle offerings for the Philippines.

Jaguar XE As a brand, Jaguar is known for two things: sports cars and large sedans. After the oft criticized X-Type in the early 2000’s, Jaguar is finally bringing its stellar form in the compact luxury sedan market with the XE. Already in the market since last year, the XE is every bit the X-Type wasn’t. It’s a true driver’s car boasting of

a new platform that uses aluminum extensively. The compellingly designed car mixes stunning proportions and excellent packaging to create a sporty and dynamic sedan that offers great comfort and spaciousness.

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport Jeep wants a piece of the premium rough-and-tumble off-roader market with the 2016 Wrangler Unlimited Sport. Celebrating 75 years, it’s already one of the most recognized vehicles in the world thanks to its unmatched offroad capability and legendary four-wheel drive system. The body-on-frame Wrangler features front and rear live axles with a five-link set-up and electronic lockers. Its rich history is apparent with its classic styling (round headlights, seven-slot grille, trapezoidal wheel flares, and exposed hinges) and highly versatile interior. The biggest news

though is that the new diesel-powered 2016 Unlimited Sport model will bow in at less than P 2-million making it the most affordable Jeep model.

Kia Sportage The fourth-generation compact crossover to wear the nameplate, the 2016 Sportage is bold, refined, and dynamic. Powered by a

Euro-4 emissions compliant R 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, the Sportage boasts of 185 horsepower and 402 Nm of torque. More than just pure grunt, the Sportage is recognized for its cutting-edge design that’s dynamic and aerodynamically efficient. Inside, the emphasis is to deliver a more driver-centric cockpit with a higher percentage of soft-touch materials and more space thanks to the longer wheelbase and improved packaging.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class Creating a paradigm shift since its launch in 2012, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class is refreshed this year for added sportiness. The striking lines and curved surfaces of Mercedes-Benz’s hot hatch now adds a new arrow-shaped front bumper, newly designed rear lights, and exhaust tips that are now integrated into the rear bumper. Inside, the cabin maintains its driver-centric nature while boasting of better materials, new dial graphics, and switchgear. The freestanding center display is also increased in size and is now fitted with Apple CarPlay.

Mitsubishi Montero Sport Mitsubishi’s best-selling model, the all-new Montero Sport headlines its pavilion at MIAS. Already launched earlier this year, this all-new, third-generation model boasts of even better performance, comfort, and safety. It packs a 181 horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder clean diesel engine mated to an 8-speed automatic. The “Dynamic Shield” gives it an unforgettably bold look while inside, the newly developed seats mean improved comfort, especially for long-distance driving. Peugeot 308 GTi Responsible for Peugeot’s competition models, Peugeot Sport gets their hands on the 308, transforming it into the ultimate hot hatch. The Peu-

geot 308 GTi packs a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine with 270 horsepower successfully setting a new record for power-to-weight in its segment. It covers the century mark in just 6 seconds and can cover a kilometer in just 25.3 seconds from a standing start. The 6-speed manual is also strengthened to take on the additional power. More than just about horsepower, the 308 GTi comes equipped with Torsen limited-slip differential and beefier disc brakes. Outside, the 308 is striking and clean with a style that commands presence while remaining simple. Inside, it has sport bucket seats, a compact steering wheel, plenty of GTi badges, and the Peugeot i-Cockpit, a user-friendly touchscreen interface.

Globally, it has positioned itself by making advances in eco-friendly diesel technology employing Euro-4 common rail direct injection engines to their vehicles. SsangYong Philippines will offer three vehicles initially: the SsangYong Tivoli, a sub-compact crossover, the SsangYong Korando, a crossover, and the SsangYong Rodius, a spacious MPV.

SsangYong The Philippines is welcoming back SsangYong Motor. The fourth largest Korean automaker has found a new distributor, Berjaya Philippines. Taking advantage of the Philippines’s continuously growing automotive industry as well as the recently passed ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement or AKFTA, SsangYong is confident of providing an innovative and reliable alternative to the usual offerings in the country. SsangYong will rely on its all-wheel drive and diesel engineering credentials to set it apart from the competition.

fore. Outside, it gets new swiveling LED headlights along with new bumpers, grille, tail lights, and alloy wheels. Inside, there are more luxury touches thanks to more piano black accents, the addition of powered seats for the front occupants, and many more. Though the engine and transmission options haven’t changed, the 2016 model gets a re-tweaked suspension for a softer ride, more sound deadening for added comfort, a quicker ratio steering for better handling, and in the case of the XT, a brake-based Active Torque Vectoring system.

on the global stage in 2010, acted as the catalyst for the design-led transformation of Kia’s product range in the following years. Both the new Kia Sportage and the new Kia Optima stand out very strongly from their rivals in their respective categories on account of the c l a r i t y, dis-

tinction and sporty elegance of their exterior design. Both cars also feature a completely redesigned, premium-standard interior with modern, horizontally aligned and very ‘clean-looking’ design.”

Kia Sportage, Optima win awards tion, for which only the most ground-breaking designs in a category are eligible. The new generations of the Optima and the European Kia bestseller, the Sportage, were launched across Kia’s global markets earlier this year. These new prizes have seen both models defending their Red Dot Awards – both the previous generations of the Kia Sportage and Kia Optima also received Red Dot awards in 2011, while the Optima retains its ‘Best of the Best’ prize. Since 2009, when the first-generation Kia Soul won

the carmaker’s first award in the competition, Kia’s design teams have gone on to achieve a total of 15 Red Dot Awards. Now, in 2016, every model in the current Kia product range has a Red Dot. Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Designer of Kia Motors Corporation and Hyundai Motor Group, commented: “Our international design team has every cause to be exceptionally proud of these most recent awards. The first Red Dot Awards for the Kia Sportage and the Kia Optima were already great successes.

It is a very special achievement to further develop a first-rate, prize-winning model so that the new design also convinces the expert jury of this globally respected and prestigious design competition. “The two award-winners are important models for our brand. The Sportage has been the brand’s bestseller in Europe for many years. The Kia Optima, which is one of the strongest selling Kia models worldwide, also embodies the development of brand in a very special way: the third generation, which arrived

Subaru Forester Motor Image Pilipinas is celebrating its 10th year in the country in style by refreshing its most important product: the Forester. Already the best-selling all-wheel drive crossover in the country (and at one point, the best-selling crossover, period), the Forester gets a slew of aesthetic and mechanical changes to make it more premium than ever be-

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NBA power rankings: The Top 4 1

GOLDEN State Warriors (69-8; last week: 1): It’s admittedly a little insane to suggest a team operating at this level might be struggling. And yet, watching the Warriors work last week — through the dominate-only-in-fits-and-starts win over the Washington Wizards, through the overtime white-knuckler over the Utah Jazz and, most notably, through the home loss to the Boston Celtics, snapping an record-setting 54-game regular-season unbeaten streak by the Bay — they did look a little run-down, a bit ragged. Head coach Steve Kerr saw it, too, suggesting after the Boston loss that “maybe all the talk and all the focus on the record” — on trying to become the first NBA team ever to go a undefeated at home during a single season and, more broadly, on trying to topple the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls’ all-time wins record — “has gotten us away from the process of who we are.” Well, they got back to who they are Sunday. Golden State shot a blistering 57 percent from the floor, dished 30 assists on 50 field goals and hung 136 points on the Portland Trail Blazers — who, you might remember, torched the Dubs after the All-Star break — behind characteristically monstrous performances from Stephen Curry (39 points in 35 minutes on 21 shots, 9-for-13 from 3-point range, seven assists, six rebounds, two steals, one block): ... and Draymond Green, who picked up his 13th triple-double of the season while once again proving his value as a small-ball center, changing the game with his two-way work at the five spot in downshifted lineups that outscored Portland by 24 points in about 14 minutes of floor time: The win offered a bracing reminder of just how violently the Warriors bounce back after losses: The Warriors are now 8-0 in the first game after their losses and

they’ve won those bounce-back games by an average of 15 points. — Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) April 4, 2016 It also kept them one win ahead of the ‘95-’96 Bulls’ record-setting pace. The Warriors — who just got reserve center Festus Ezeli back (and in the nick of time, with starter Andrew Bogut out Sunday with a rib injury) and who could see Andre Iguodala return as soon as Tuesday — need four wins in their final five games to become legendary. They’ll welcome the young and exciting but not-ready-for-primetime Minnesota Timberwolves to Oracle Arena on Tuesday, and they’ve got two more coming against the Memphis Grizzlies, whose pets’ heads are falling off. Getting to 72, then, seems like it’s all over but the shoutin’. Reaching 73, though, will require at least one win in two tries against ...

SAN Antonio Spurs (64-12; LW: 8): ... a team with its own patch of rarefied air to reach. If it’s interested in reaching it, that is. Boston’s win over the Dubs cleared the path for San Antonio to become the first team ever to go 41-0 at home; all the Spurs need to do is win their last two games at AT&T Center. Those games, however, come against the Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder — one vying for immortality, the other that might want to send a message about how dangerous it can be in a prospective second-round matchup. Nothing seems to come easy in the NBA, does it? The $64,000 question, of course, is whether Gregg Popovich — whose team is all but locked into the No. 2 seed, has already proven it can beat Golden State this season, and has precious little to play for — decides to rest multiple key contributors rather than go for the glory. Tony Parker has said he thinks Pop will; he’s already begun sitting his big guns more frequently,

as he did in last Saturday’s loss to OKC, and Parker’s been around long enough to know the way his coach thinks. “I don’t think about trying to have a good regular season, or how many games we win,” Parker said last week, according to Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News. “It doesn’t matter, really. At the end of the day, the only thing you remember is how many championships you won.” Parker’s probably right. Asked about Golden State’s loss to Boston, Pop said, “It’s got nothing to do with what we do.” What they do, as ever, is brutalize the competition on both ends of the floor while marching to the beat of their own drummer. In this instance, that probably means the Spurs and Warriors won’t really dance again until late May (provided they get that far, naturally), but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t holding out hope that Pop tells his band to pick up the tempo one more time before the playoffs.

LOS Angeles Clippers (48-28; LW: 12): We’ve been wondering for three months how the Clippers would look once Blake Griffin returned from his partially torn quadriceps tendon, broken shooting hand and four-game suspension. Well, now we know: they look like ... y’know ... the Clippers. (Kind of anticlimactic.) We’ll need to see the Clips play better competition than the Wizards to get real answers, but what we did see in Blake’s first game since Christmas — the starters looking strong, L.A. outscoring Washington by 23 points in Griffin’s 24-plus minutes, Griffin impacting the game even without his All-NBA stuff — seemed like positive signs for a Clipper club that desperately needs his scoring, playmaking, athleticism and versatility to have a puncher’s chance (sorry) against the Warriors and Spurs in a seven-game series. Sunday was a start;

how far he comes in the final two weeks could prompt rewrites to the expected Western script.

CLEVELAND Cavaliers (55-22; LW: 7): All these things are true: • The Cavaliers are 17-8 since the All-Star break, with the league’s second-most efficient offense and and a top-10 defense; • They just handled the team with the East’s best record since the break, the Charlotte Hornets, without Kyrie Irving; • They’ve already surpassed last year’s win total and own a 3 1/2-game lead over the Toronto Raptors for home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs with five games left.

All these things are also true: • Cleveland hasn’t won more than three in a row post-All-Star, with every brief stretch of success seemingly short-circuited by an eyebrow-raising loss that prevents LeBron James and co. from separating themselves; • The Cavaliers seem to be the least happy 55-win team in recent memory, with new reports of chemistry issues and confusing communication arising every other day; • Cleveland must finish 5-0 for Tyronn Lue to post as good a record this season as David Blatt had before he got canned. I note that last fact only as a reminder that, while it’s true that NBA fans shouldn’t call the Cavaliers disappointing for being really good rather than historically excellent, we’re not the ones putting that burden on the Cavs; LeBron is, and has been all season. He’s been playing like he’s ready to accept that responsibility, averaging a shade under 29 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds per game on 57/38/78 shooting splits over his last seven games. Now we’ll see if the rest of his teammates will join him to meet that challenge.

CHASE FOR 73. The Golden State Warriors shattered the record for best start in NBA history (24-0) en route to a 69-8 mark, all while blitzing their opponents by more than 11 points per game. Are Stephen Curry & Co. a threat to match -- or even break -- the 72-10 record set by Michael Jordan and the legendary 1995-96 Chicago Bulls?

Pacquiao emotional at camp’s end

SENSE of nostalgia filled the air as Manny Pacquiao’s LA training camp for his third fight against Tim Bradley came to a close on Monday (Tuesday, Manila time). People inside the Wild Card gym savored every minute, every moment of the two-hour session highlight-

ed by a four-round sparring against Ghislain Maduma, anticipating it could likely be the last time the Filipino great will be training in the famous sweatshop located along Vine Street. Pacquiao, 37, initially declared his third bout with Bradley as his farewell fight, although of late, he’s been

saying that there would be no decision to be made about his boxing career until after the national elections back home. The greatest Philippine athlete ever is seeking a senate seat in the national polls and his vague responses only added to the suspense about his next move.

UAAP’s regular events. And Ravena added that their proposal to make 3x3 as an official UAAP event, meaning it will count in the league’s overall standings, has been well-received by league officials they’ve met. “He (Fr. De Sagun) said that he wants to propose it as part of the UAAP calendar even for next season,” Ravena said. “I think they really want to push this sa UAAP board and make it part of the UAAP calendar.” 3x3 has become one of the fast-rising events in basketball with Fiba even holding a World Tour annually in various countries including the Philippines.

“They have already acknowledged the sport and they also want to put it in the calendar. Hopefully, all goes well,” Ravena said. Ravena added that holding 3-on-3 basketball in the UAAP only stands to benefit the college league. “It’s fast (to organize) hindi katulad ng 5-on-5. It could be similar to beach volleyball as sort of a primer to their main event [na] indoor volleyball. It could bridge the lull na walang basketball ng matagal sa UAAP or even during the season, they can play in between the first and second game,” Ravena said.

Ravena leads call on 3x3 basketball in UAAP POMELO TEE. Tournament organizer Ting Castillo (left) explains the mechanics of the 7th Pomelo Tee golf tournament at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club during the SCOOP Davao session at the Royal Mandaya Hotel ysterday. Boy Lim

Abueva wins third PBA Player of the Week citation

ALVIN Abueva won a tournament-leading third Accel-PBA Press Corps Player of the Week award after another brave effort in Alaska’s 100-92 win against Star on Saturday’ in a road game in Davao City. The 6-1 1/2 forward scored nine of his team-high 21 points in the last six minutes as the Aces snapped a two-game slide and secured a quarterfinal seat

with its sixth win in nine starts in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. The former PBA Rookie of the Year added six rebounds while providing his customary game-long hustle to beat the likes of Ginebra’s Greg Slaughter and Chris Ellis, Meralco’s Cliff Hodge, Tropang TNT rookie Troy Rosario, Rain or Shine’s Jeff Chan and NLEX’s Sean Anthony for the citation for the period covering March 28-April 3.

The 28-year-old Alaska wingman credited Alaska coach Alex Compton for his top form. “Lahat kasi kami binibigyan ng kumpiyansa ni coach. Hindi lang ilang players ang iniikot niya kaya siyempre, kami naman as a player, magta-trabaho talaga para manalo ang team,” said Abueva, who is averaging a career-high 16.56 points this conference, to go along with 7.89 rebounds and 3.33 assists.

N-3 basketball in the UAAP could soon happen as representations have been made to the league’s Board of Trustees to include the emerging basketball event as part of the regular calendar. Former Ateneo star Kiefer Ravena, whose group recently organized the Intercollegiate 3-on-3 Invitationals, said they have already reached out to some members of the UAAP board like Fr. Ermito de Sagun of University of Santo Tomas, Nongnong Calanog of La Salle, and Em Fernandez of Ateneo to lobby for the inclusion of 3-on-3, or 3x3 in international basketball parlance, in the

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