Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper (November 8-14, 2021)

Founded 2006

mindanaoexaminer.com

FOR ADVERTISEMENTS, PLEASE CALL (062) 9555360 or (082) 2841859

P10

November 8-14, 2021

Bongbong Marcos, gipa-disqualify!

A

NG GRUPO sa mga survivors sa human rights violations atol sa Martial Law ug ilang mga pamilya nitinguha sa cancellation sa certificate of candidacy for president ni kanhi Senador Bongbong Marcos, Jr. gimikan sa giingong false material representation sa iyang pagdagan sa 2022 polls.

Sigon sa grupo sa il- Commission on Elections, nga modagan tungod sa ang petition nga gi-file sa dili na eligible si Marcos Continue on page 2

Duterte for Senator WILL HE or will he not?

But Senator Bong Go said President Rodrigo Duterte is considering running for a Senate seat in next year’s polls despite withdrawing as vice presidential bet of the ruling political party PDP-Laban.

Go said if Duterte Continue on page 5

President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Bong Go listen to Sulu Governor Sakur Tan during a recent meeting.

Senator Bong Bong Marcos gestures during a news conference. (BBM FB)

Doctors say COVID can President worries over cause erectile dysfunction

slow vaccine rollout

A GROUP of urologists have come together to urge everyone to get a

PRESIDENT RODRIGO Duterte seems confused over the slow deployment of Covid-19 vaccines and Continue on page 3

Mga probinsya sa nasud bukas na sa mga biyahero nga fully vaccinated ARMM

probinsya sa tibuok nasud ang wala na magkinahanglan sa negatibo nga resulta sa RT-PCR o Antigen

test.

Nasayran nga ang mga probinsya mao ang Continue on page 2

Eastern Mindanao

center in a new PSA meant to encourage people to Continue on page 2

Not only Duterte’s SALN is secret, Covid vaccines too

A Chinese military plane prepare to unload crates of the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine in Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on February 28, 2021. (King Rodriguez)

BUKAS NA alang sa mga fully vaccinated o nakakompleto sa 2nd dose ang mokabat 36 ka mga

COVID-19 vaccine, at least to preserve erections.

Penises are front and

Western Mindanao

NOT ONLY President Rodrigo Duterte’s SALNs or Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth is highly secretive, even the prices of Covid-19 vaccines are unknown to the public.

And Senator Ping Lacson is asking the Duterte administration to reveal the prices of the vaccines and even questioned why the government is focused on purchasing China’s Sinovac vaccines rather than other brands that have higher efficacy.

Duterte previously said that the government cannot make public the contract price of Sinovac and the Department of Health (DOH) also invokes confidentiality in the prices of Covid-19 vaccines.

In an interview with ABS-CBN, Continue on page 3

Senator Ping Lacson

Cebu

Manila

2

The Mindanao Examiner

November 8-14, 2021

Bongbong Marcos, gipa-disqualify!

Continued from page 1 iyang convictions sa tax evasion niadtong 1995.

Matod sa grupo nga Kapatid-Families and Friends of Political Prisoners nga si Marcos gikombikto sa Regional Trial Court sa Quezon City niadtong July 27, 1995 tungod sa “multiple failures to file income tax returns.”

“This conviction was upheld by the Court of

Appeals and no longer appealed to the Supreme Court, thereby becoming a final and unappealable conviction,” matod sa mga petitioners sa statement.

“Having been convicted by final judgment of a violation of the National Internal Revenue Code, Marcos is perpetually disqualified from holding any public office, to vote and to participate in any election as man-

dated under the NIRC,” dugang pa sa grupo.

Matod sa statement ni Atty. Victor Rodriguez, spokesman sa Marcos camp: “We shall address this predictable nuisance petition at the proper time and forum – after we receive the official copy of the same. Until then, we will refrain from commenting on their propaganda. Our camp does not engage in gutter politics. Our campaign is

about nation building.”

“For Presidential aspirant Bongbong Mar-

cos, this election is about the future of the Filipino people,” dugang pa ni

Rodriguez. (Dyla, OneTV Philippines / Mindanao Examiner)

Doctors say COVID can cause erectile dysfunction Continued from page 1 get vaccinated against COVID-19.

The video begins with men fondly recalling their first erections, then presents a sobering statistic: men who've had COVID-19 are up to six times more likely to experience erectile dysfunction.

The figure comes from a study of 100 men in Italy, which found a correlation between the viral illness and penis problems.

The estimated risk of ED for men with a history of COVID-19 was actually closer to 5.5 times higher than normal, and it was a relatively small study.

But the factoid caught the attention of some creative advertisers who wanted to shine a light on "schlong COVID," Brian Siedband, co-founder of the ad agency Quality Meats, said in a press release.

"We stumbled across this fact and thought, with all the vaccine hesitancy out there, guys need to

hear this," he said. "Especially younger guys who think they're not at risk [for severe COVID] but might be not thinking about the long-term effects."

After pitching the idea to a couple of "traditional organizations," the team decided to directly enlist urologists to speak on the subject. Soon, more than 30 doctors had signed on to join Urologists United for Vaccination Education.

Surviving COVID-19 may have lasting effects on the penis It didn't take much convincing to get the urologists involved in the PSA, the co-founders said in the press release. After all, they're passionate about the penis and combatting the misinformation around it.

"I was on board as soon as I heard the idea," said Dr. Larry Levine, Professor of Urology at Rush University Medical Center.

"Given all the misinformation out there, we'd rather people get facts from us, doctors who've devoted

their lives to studying the penis, than rumors from Nicki Minaj's cousin's friend in Trinidad."

The doctors have come up with a few possible theories of how COVID-19 might contribute to ED, although none of them have been proven yet. Urologists think erectile dysfunction after COVID may be connected to the disease's vascular effects. People with severe COVID can experience inflammation throughout the body, especially in and around the heart, which could result in blocked blood flow to the penis.

Additionally, the mental impact of long COVID and the pandemic overall can't be underestimated.

The sedentary lifestyle and high stress levels associated with the early stages of the pandemic both have the potential to affect sexual function, and some urologists have been seeing more cases of erectile dysfunction since the start of the pandemic. (Andrea Michelson / Insider)

Mga probinsya sa nasud bukas na sa mga biyahero nga fully vaccinated Continued from page 1 Benguet, Baguio City, Ifugao, Pangasinan. Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Isabela-Cagayan Valley, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Masbate, Antique, Ilo-Ilo, Capiz-Roxas City, Guimaras, Negros Occidental-Bacolod, Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Samar-Catbalogan, Misamis Oriental-Cagayan de Oro, Davao Oriental-Mati, Maguindanao-Cotabato City, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, ug Pagadian City sa Zamboanga

del Sur. Tumong sa maong pagbukas sa mga byahero aron usab matabangan ang mga probinsya diha sa pagbangon ug pagpalagsik sa turismo nga nalugmok sulod sa kapin usa ka tuig.

Hinuan, adunay nagpabilin gihapon nga mga dapit nga kasamtangan nga ilawom sa Enhanced Community Quarantine ug Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine.

Pipila usab ka mga probinsya sa nasud ang dili pa magdawat ug mga turista nga nagagikan sa "High Risk Areas" nga deklarado sa National Inter-Agency Task Force in-

gon man pipila usab ang nagkihanglan gihapon sa mga rekisitos sa pagbyahe sama sa medical certificate, S-PASS ug proof of hotel booking.

Samtang ang probinsya sa Zamboanga del Norte naningkamot usab nga makab-ot ang herd immunity diha sa mga mabakunahan nga adunay target nga kapin sa 324 mil ka mga katawhan diin anaa na karun sa 31.5% o 102,212 ang mga fully vaccinated diin ilawom na usab sa General Community Quarantine ang lalawigan sugod Nobyembre 1 kutob petsa 30 sulod niining bulana. (Chai/OneTV Philippines)

3

The Mindanao Examiner

November 8-14, 2021

Not only Duterte’s SALN is secret, Covid vaccines too

Army says 8 rebels yield in South

Continued from page 1 Lacson said government officials could no longer invoke non-disclosure agreements as a reason for not disclosing the price of Covid-19 vaccines. He said the Senate would not let the query pass during the DOH budget deliberation.

“Tinanong namin iyan eh pero walang sagot. Pero sa plenaryo palagay ko hindi na namin palulusutin kasi nabili na iyan eh. Nagastos na ang pera ng gobyerno eh ano pa ba ang iinvoke nating NDA, iyong non-disclosure agreement?” Lacson asked.

Lacson said they wanted to know why the government purchased more Sinovac vaccines than other brands.

And data collated by the ABS-CBN Investigative and Research Group showed that out of the nearly 109 million Covid-19 vaccines that arrived in the country, some 44.5 million are from Sinovac.

Lacson also raised the possibility of overpricing, “if Sinovac vaccines were bought through the indicative price of P3,629.50 for two doses compared to the cheaper price with which Thailand and Indonesia reportedly were able to secure.”

The DOH in January released a statement saying that the circulating vaccine prices were indicative market prices based on the rates published by different manufacturers generated for the purpose of estimating the proposed budget for the vaccination program. These, it said, are not, in any way, the negotiated prices that the government and the manufacturer agreed on.

“Ang kwenta ko eh ang overprice aabot siya ng mga P15.8 billion, doon pa lamang sa 25 million doses. Sana hindi natuloy iyon. Kasi noong sa Committee on the whole na-presided ni Tito Sen (Senator Tito Sotto), maliwanag na susundan daw nila iyong mismong presyo pero wala kaming nakikita,” Lacson said.

“Bakit tayo naka-focus doon sa Sino-

vac? Iyon lang ba ang available? Mukhang hindi naman. So iyon ang dapat natin tignan kapag tinalakay na natin ang budget kasi after all pandemic ito tapos budget na nanggaling sa buwis natin ito at nanggaling sa utang. Nasaan ba naman ang kaluluwa mo pagka sa gitna ng paghihirap, pagdurusa ng mga kababayan eh, kapwa mong mga Pilipino eh pagkakakitaan mo?” he asked.

Lacson hopes that the vaccines were not overpriced and that the allocated funds intended to address the pandemic were used judiciously. “Wala pa tayong nakita pruweba na kung mayroon ba talagang overpricing. Ang pinag-babasehan lang natin ang sinubmit nilang presyo na napakataas, base doon sa presyo na lumabas na bili ng ibang bansa. Pero hindi pa natin alam dahil hindi pa nila sinasabi kung magkano tala ang pagkabili. Nandoon tayo ngayon sa sitwasyon na ganoon. So huwag naman sana. Lahat tayo nananalangin na sana tama lang ang pagkabili natin ng bakuna,” he said.

In January, Lacson also raised the same issue after noting the sharp differences in the prices of Sinovac vaccines in the country compared to other nations.

He noted that while Sinovac's product may cost as little as $5 (about P240) per dose, it may cost as much as a whopping $38 (more than P1,800) in the Philippines.

Lacson cited a news article on Bangkok Post dated January 16, 2021 - citing figures from the World Health Organization and from the manufacturers - indicated the price of Sinovac was only $5 per dose. However, during the budget deliberations last November, the DOH provided the Senate Committee on Finance the data on the Sinovac price which was P3,629.50 for two doses.

“The difference in prices of Sinovac vaccine at $5, $14 and $38 reminds me of an old story about how corruption is committed in three Southeast Asian countries - under the table, on the table, and including the table,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)

President worries over slow vaccine rollout

A photo released by the military's Western Mindanao Command headquarters in Zamboanga City shows the surrendered New People's Army rebels.

COTABATO CITY – The Philippine military said 8 communist rebels had surrendered to security forces in Mindanao, adding them to 105 insurgents who have returned to the fold of the law since January this year.

Army Maj. Gen. Alfredo Rosario Jr., chief of the Western Mindanao Command headquarters, said the rebels were members of the New People’s Army (NPA) and also yielded four rifles and two shotguns during their surrender last week in Sultan Kudarat’s

Isulan town.

He said the rebels surrendered to the 7th Infantry Battalion under Lt. Col. Romel Valencia and the provincial police. “I would like to congratulate our Joint Task Force Central for this accomplishment.

I am well aware of your efforts to end terrorism and insurgency in Central Mindanao. Your numerous successes are the rewards of your sacrifices. For that, I once again congratulate you all,” Rosario said in a statement.

Rosario also quoted Valencia’s report and said: “Their successful surrender is attributable to the collaborative efforts of the 7th Infantry Battalion, Bagumbayan PNP, Senator Ninoy Aquino PNP, and Sultan Kudarat Provincial Police Office.”

The NPA, armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines, has been fighting for many decades now for the establishment of a Maoist state in the country. (Mindanao Examiner)

Continued from page 1 at one point even threatened the mayors, saying he will hold them accountable for any failure in the government’s mass vaccination program.

“Hindi ko malaman kung saan talaga nagkakamali, kung may mali, bakit mahina ang paglabas ng bakuna, dito sa national medyo okay. Ang problema pagdating doon sa provincial, regional level, doon nagkakaroon ng medyo problema. So that even in the matter of deploying them to the proper sites eh mahina. So sabi ko gamitin na lang ang mga air assets ng PNP pati AFP. Pagdating doon sa pag-deliver doon sa eroplano, tapos pagdating doon ‘yung TOG (Tactical Operations Group of the Philippine Air Force), ‘yung mga helicopter nandiyan, sa ano will take over. Sila na ang maghatid doon sa mga municipal governments,” he said.

Duterte also asked

whether the local governments have enough vaccinators to carry out the mass vaccination program which has been going on since last year.

“Ang problema nito kung pagdating doon mayroon bang sufficient number of people who can do the task of injecting kasi kung ito ang --- if we adopt this program, ma-deliver kaagad namin (ang mga vaccines),” he said.

“I have also ordered (Interior) Secretary (Eduardo) Año to impose the necessary sanction against LGUs and local chief executives who are not performing nor using the doses given to them in a most expeditious manner. I will hold each and every LGU accountable for this,” he added.

However, the problem is not the local governments, but the unequal distribution of vaccines in the country, especially in Mindanao. The bulk of the vaccines go to Duterte’s

hometown Davao City and neighboring Davao region; and Cebu in the Visayas and the National Capital Region, and Calabarzon which are all vote-rich areas.

Responding to Duterte’s order, Año said he will meet with governors, mayors, as well as with the regional directors of the Department of Health, the Philippine National Police and the Bureau of Fire to ask them to intensify their vaccination initiatives. “Ating tinatawagan ang mga LGUs na dapat ay doblehin pa ang kanilang outputs sa pagbabakuna at dapat ay walang masasayang na kahit isang bakuna. At katulad din po ng iyong sinabi ay titingnan po natin ito kung dapat magkaroon ng imbestigasyon sa mga mababagal sa pagpapatupad ng bakuna at makapagbigay po tayo ng kaukulang sanctions sa mga magkakaroon ng pagkukulang,” he said.

(Mindanao Examiner)

4

The Mindanao Examiner

November 8-14, 2021

Sulu Pictures in the News Sulu provincial government at work. This is where your taxes go. (Photos from the Office of the Provincial Governor, Jaques Tutong, Task Force Covid-19, Maimbung Municipal Government, Rep. Shernee Tambut, Noenyrie Asiri, and Aziz Salapuddin)

5

The Mindanao Examiner

November 8-14, 2021

Duterte for Senator

President Rodrigo Duterte with his political allies and close friends Sulu Governor Sakur Tan, Vice Governor Toto Tan and Rep. Samier Tan.

Farmers to benefit from ‘Technology Service Cooperative’ DAVAO CITY - The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) said it will create a special type of secondary cooperative called the “Technology Service Cooperative” which aims to extend technology solutions to agricultural cooperatives which are dominant in Mindanao.

This move, according to CDA, is poised to help Mindanao-based “Farmers’ Co-op” lacking access to technology resources to embrace digital transformation with technologies that can be integrated not only in financial technology products, but also in other aspects of different types of businesses of Mindanao cooperatives under it.

Envisioned to be composed of at least 15 registered cooperatives,

the Technology Service Cooperative shall offer technology services to members.

“The organized cooperatives are expected to pool their resources so as to introduce technological innovations, particularly in supporting cooperatives across the country through e-commerce, portals and innovative ways of bridging the gap in market access,” said Myrla Paradillo, CDA Acting Administrator.

Vidal Villanueva III, Head of the CDA’s Credit and Financial Services, Banking, Insurance, and Credit Surety Fund Cooperatives Cluster also said this step is a response to the changing needs of the sector. “This is also a clear demonstration that CDA is receptive and flexible to

what is beneficial to the sector and community in general,” Villanueva said.

While some cooperatives—particularly the bigger ones—have already started their own digital systems, there is still room to improve their smaller counterparts’ access to online services. “The special type of cooperative will give us the opportunity to build the digital infrastructure for our movement. One of the dreams of Philippine cooperatives is to be part of the national payment management system. To be able to do that, the special type of cooperative needs to comply with the requirements of other regulatory bodies—in particular, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas,” Villanueva said. (Malou Cablinda)

Continued from page 1 wins, he will continue to prioritize the welfare of the Filipinos, especially the poor. “He is considering, pinag-aaralan niyang mabuti. Kung makakatulong ba sa bayan, he might.

Kino-consider niya po 'yung pagtakbo (sa Senado),” Go, a former aide of Duterte, said.

He said Duterte is examining a number of factors before deciding whether or not to run, but if it will help his candidates win, he may go for it. “Siyempre tinitingnan din niya ‘yung slate ng administration ng PDP-Laban. Kung makakatulong siya na mas maraming mananalo sa part ng administration, iyon ang kino-consider niya,” Go said.

“And of course, 'yung pages-serbisyo sa bayan bilang inyong Tatay Digong.

Ito proven and tested na po ‘yung kanyang pages-serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan hindi lang sa salita kundi sa gawa,” he added.

Duterte’s PDP-Laban is now pushing him to run for senator even though he backed out from the vice presidential race to allow his daughter, Davao Mayor Sara Duterte to run for president with Go as her running mate. But Sara rejected this and is seeking re-election instead.

Veteran journalist Ramon Tulfo has said that PDP-Laban also wants Duterte to be the next Senate president if elected. And Go said Duterte is more than qualified to be the Senate president, but he was quick to say that “it is too early to discuss such possibilities, especially since the Senate leadership is decided upon by a collegial body.”

“Masyado pang maaga sigurong pag-usapan 'yan

dahil hindi naman natin alam kung sino ang mananalo, who will compose the majority. Kadalasan diyan ay pipiliin po ng majority. But, bilang former president ay napakalaking bagay iyon sa kanyang leadership, nanggaling sa pagka-presidente,” Go said.

“Siguro masasabi naman ni Pangulo na nabanggit niya kung ano 'yung mga programa na makakatulong pa siya, na maipagpapatuloy 'yung mga programa na magaganda na nakakabenepisyo naman sa mga kababayan natin ay isusulong niya rin po, dahil naging mambabatas na rin siya noon, naging congressman na rin po siya at naging presiding officer rin po siya as vice mayor, twice sa Davao,” he added.

Go also confirmed that PDP-Laban officials would meet soon to finalize their official candidates. For his part, Go said he is determined to run as vice presidential bet of the PDP-Laban. “Parati namang nag-uusap ang PDP about that. Ako naman, sigurado na ako. Kandidato na po ako at desidido na ako diyan. Consistent naman ako, always po akong consistent kung ano po yung sinabi ko.

So, 100% dito na ko bilang kandidato as vice president,” he said.

He also assured that Duterte will continue to work hard to promote and protect the welfare of the Filipino people. “Sa mga kababayan natin, asahan n'yo po na kung sakaling magdesisyon po ang ating Pangulo na tumakbo bilang Senador, asahan n'yo po uunahin niya siyempre kung papaano siya makakatulong at makapagpatuloy na makapagserbisyo sa ating mga kababayan at

paano niya maisusulongbat ipagpatuloy 'yung mga programang naumpisahan na po niya na hindi pa po natatapos, gusto niya pong tapusin. Importante po sa kanya ngayon is malampasan muna natin itong pandemya, itong krisis na ating kinakaharap, at makakatawid na po tayo sa ating normal na pamumuhay,” Go said.

In Southern Philippines, Sulu Governor Sakur Tan has assured that all 19 municipal mayors and the Tausugs are all out for Go’s vice presidential candidacy and Duterte if he runs for senator, or whoever he chooses to be the presidential candidate.

“Kaming lahat dito sa Sulu, mula sa mga mayors ng ibat-ibang munisipyo hanggang sa ating mga mamamayan ay buong-buo ang aming suporta kay Pangulong Duterte at Senador Bong Go. Iyan ang sinisigurado namin dito sa Sulu,” Tan told the Mindanao Examiner by phone from his office in Patikul town.

“Napakaraming tulong sa amin dito sa Sulu si Presidente Duterte at mahal na mahal namin ang Pangulo.

At ganoon rin kay Senator Bong Go at dahil sa kanya ay may mga Malasakit Centers na kami dito sa Sulu na napapakinabangan ng lahat kung kaya’t malaki ang aming pasasalamat kay Presidente at kay Senator Bong Go,” he added.

Tan is a close political ally of Duterte and the only governor in the Muslim autonomous region that supported Duterte’s candidacy and campaign in the 2016 presidential elections where he rallied his mayors and the Tausugs to vote for Duterte.

(Mindanao Examiner)

Villamero’s Enterprises For all your newspaper publications or subscription to The Zamboanga Post and The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper, please call or text Villamero’s Enterprises at these numbers (062) 955-8677 and 0917-1223496. Located at Campaner Street, Zamboanga City and serving Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.

6

The Mindanao Examiner

November 8-14, 2021

Gordon to Duterte: ‘It is you who admitted stealing from government’ SENATOR RICHARD Gordon refuted President Rodrigo Duterte’s claim that he is not involved in corruption, saying this contradicted a statement the chief executive made years ago.

During the continuation of the Senate blue ribbon committee’s investigation into the government procurement of COVID-19 supplies, Gordon cited Duterte's 2017 speech before a Filipino-Chinese organization where the President supposedly admitted committing corruption.

“Ang isasagot ko lang po para sa alam ng madla, napakasimple lang po. Ito po ang sinabi ng Presidente doon sa Philippine Chinese Charitable Association at Manila Hotel, June 28, 2017,” Gordon said.

Gordon quoted Duterte as saying: “I hate corruption. Hindi ako nagmamalinis. Marami rin akong nanakaw pero naubos na.

Corruption is really out during my term.”

“Inamin niya po yan, admission against self-interest…Yun lang po ang sa-

got ko, Mr. President. Kayo na umamin na kayo ay nagnakaw sa gobyerno. Di po kami ang nagsabi niyan.

Kayo ang nagsabi niyan.

Wala po akong nagsasabing nagnakaw kayo,” he said.

In his latest public address, Duterte, once again lambasted Gordon and said he would have not won the presidency if he is corrupt.

He then accused Gordon and Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon of being corrupt.

Drilon, in response to Duterte’s tirade, said he has never been tried by any anti-graft court in his entire stint as a public servant.

Duterte has been criticizing several senators in his public addresses as the Blue Ribbon committee, which Gordon chairs, continues to scrutinize the transfer of P42 billion Covid-19 funds from the Department of Health to the Department of Budget and Management Procurement Service.

Gordon said it would be Duterte’s fault if there are delays in the course of

the Senate investigation.

“Pinapaalam ko lang po sa mga mamamayan natin na talagang kung may delay [sa imbestigasyon] ang may kasalanan po ay ang Pangulo ng Pilipinas, hindi po tayo,” he said.

He said Duterte’s “signals” for resource persons not to attend the Senate probe because he was being dragged into it, adding, Duterte also barred Cabinet members from attending the Senate inquiry.

Apart from the transfer of multi-billion funds from the DOH to the PS-DBM, the Senate investigation includes PS-DBM’s purchase of P8.6 billion worth of face masks, face shields, and PPEs from Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corporation, a firm that is being linked to Chinese businessman Michael Yang, Duterte’s former economic adviser.

The company only had a P625,000 paid-up capital when it entered transactions with the government.

(By Hana Bordey, KBK, Gma News)

Probe on-going in fire that destroyed thousands of Covid vaccines PAGADIAN CITY – The Zamboanga del Sur provincial government has ordered an investigation into the fire that destroyed tens of thousands of Covid-19 vaccines at its cold storage facility in Pagadian City.

The fire destroyed the ground floor of a building where the medicines, intended for pediatric vaccination and those in the priority list of the Department of Health, had been stored. The provincial government said the October 31 fire also affected the storage used by the Philippine Red Cross, Integrated Provincial Hospital Office, among others.

“Sumala sa inisyal nga impormasyon, nagsugod ang kalayo sa maintenance area sa ilawom nga bahin sa building, gikan sa ground floor, mikatag ngadto sa unang palapag sa building kun asa nahimutang ang buhatan sa IPHO, RED CROSS og PDOHO. Tungod sa maong sunog, nadamyos ang Covid vaccines (AstraZeneca, Moderna, Pfizer ug Sinovac) nga naka-stock sa IPHO lakip na ang mga routine vaccine alang sa mga bata. Padayon pa ang imbestigasyon sa mga otoridad labot sa maong insidente,” the provincial government said in a statement.

MANILA ADVERTISING For all your ADVERTISING and PUBLICATION needs, please call our MANILA Media Sales Consultant at this phone number:

RICHARD EBONA

Phone: (0916) 9558559, (0915) 0070927, (0947) 2652969 Email Address: chardee.mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com

CEBU CITY ADVERTISING For all your ADVERTISING and PUBLICATION needs, please call our CEBU CITY office at this phone number:

RODIL YBANEZ G/F Dreamfield Bldg, Sanciangko Street, Kamagayan, Cebu City Phone: (0923) 1670009 A provincial government photo shows the building used as Covid-19 vaccine storage in fire. Nearly 149,00 doses of Covid-19 vaccines are destroyed in the October 31, 2021 fire in Pagadian City in Zamboanga del Sur. (Based on initial information, the fire begun at the maintenance area at the ground floor of the building and it quickly spread where the IPHO, Red Cross and PDOHO storage are located. The fire burned the Covid vaccines Astra Zeneca, Moderna, Pfizer and Sinovac, including those intended for the children. The investigation is going.)

The government said it was saddened by news that some 148,678 doses of Covid-19 vaccines went to waste. “We are saddened that 148,678 doses of COVID 19 vaccines were damaged during the fire that broke out at the Provincial Health Office of Zamboanga del Sur on the evening of October 31.

The three-storey building which is occupied by different offices and departments of the provincial government also served as the provincial cold chain storage facility for Covid-19 vaccines allocated for 26 municipalities and one component city,” it said.

The fire destroyed some 9,176 doses of AstraZeneca; 14,400 doses of Moderna; 88,938 doses of Pfizer and 36, 164 doses of Sinovac. Pfizer and Moderna are the vaccines allowed for the pediatric vaccination program of the government.

It was unknown why the vaccines were not immediately sent out to the municipal health centers.

(Mindanao Examiner)

DAVAO REGION ADVERTISING For all your ADVERTISING and PUBLICATION needs, please call our DAVAO REGION office at these following phone numbers:

MALOU CABLINDA Door 2, 402 Nidea Street, Barrio Obrero, Davao City Phones: (082) 2841859, (0932) 4323301, (0997) 3172021

NORTH COTABATO ADVERTISING For all your ADVERTISING and PUBLICATION needs, please call our NORTH COTABATO office at these phone numbers:

PAOLO DE JESUS Kidapawan City Phones: (0927) 4757936, (0918) 7229009

ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA ADVERTISING For all your ADVERTISING and PUBLICATION needs, please call our ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA office at these phone numbers:

JENG FERNANDEZ / RAMON MATIAS 3/F, JLC Building, Don Alfaro Street, Tetuan, Zamboanga City Phones: (062) 9555360, (0915) 3976197, (0935) 6123587

November 8-14, 2021

The Mindanao Examiner

7

Sulu Pictures in the News

8

The Mindanao Examiner

November 8-14, 2021

Across : 1. Weapons 5. Vim 8. March date 12. Electronic reminder 13. Nest egg (abbr.)

14. Pharaoh’s river 15. Students 17. Pit 18. Actress ___ Burstyn 19. North African 21. Kickoff device 22. Society girl 23. Frazier’s rival 25. “___ Pie” 30. Movie fish 32. Raced 33. Not false 34. Sugarless soft drink (2 wds.)

36. Conceit 37. Actor ___ Robbins 38. Find a sum 40. Gymnast’s kin 44. Egypt’s capital 47. Mollusk 48. Skilled 50. ___ Scotia 51. Skating surface 52. Pine ___ 53. Paradise 54. Cape ___ 55. Greek mythology figure Down : 1. Competent 2. Rod’s partner 3. Lunch hour, e.g.

4. Shopping binge 5. Diner dessert 6. Does wrong 7. Rose Bowl city 8. Reside in 9. Designer Chritian ___ 10. She, in Seville 11. Beheld 16. Wind dir.

20. Pronoun 23. Plus 24. Maui garland 25. Fragrant 26. Irate

MANILA No. 18 Purok 4B Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City, 1632 chardee.mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com (0916) 9558559, (0915) 0070927, (0947) 2652969

Richard C. Ebona

CEBU CITY G/F Dreamfield bldg, Sanciangko Street, Kamagayan (0923) 1670009

Rodil P. Ybañez

DAVAO CITY Door 2, 402 Nidea Street, Barrio Obrero, Davao City, Philippines (082) 2841859 / (0932) 4323301 / (0997) 3172021

Marilou Cablinda Answer to last week’s crossword:

27. Debtor’s opposite 28. Eighth mo.

29. Keanu Reeves role 31. Footstool 35. Bro, e.g.

38. Crack pilot 39. Prom 40. Teen’s woe 41. Lump of dirt 42. Rant 43. Mexican snack 45. Nevada resort 46. Keats poems 49. Was ahead

Weekly Sudoku:

NORTH COTABATO KIDAPAWAN CITY CENTRAL MINDANAO COTABATO CITY Paolo De Jesus (0927) 4757936

PAGADIAN CITY

Kismet Cable TV, Aquino cor. Cabrera st., Gatas District, Pagadian City, Zamboanga Del Sur (0910) 7348600

Richard Suarez

ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA BASILAN, SULU, TAWIͳTAWI ΈBARMMΉ 3/F, JLC Building, Don Alfaro Street, Tetuan Zamboanga City (062) 9555360 / (0915) 3976197 / (0935) 6123587

Maritess Fernandez / Ramon MaƟas

Answer to last week:

The Mindanao Examiner The Zamboanga Post Newspaper, Film and Television Productions Maritess Fernandez Publisher/Executive Producer Al Jacinto Editor-in-Chief / Producer

Reynold Toribio Graphics / Video Editor

Mindanao Examiner Productions Web Master REGIONAL PARTNERS Mindanao Daily / Business Week / Mindanao Star

ADVERTISING Richard C. Ebona (0915) 0070927 Manila Eduardo A. Sode (0917) 3087366 044 Mabini St. Cebu City

ADVERTISE WITH US IN NORTHERN MINDANAO!

Rodil P. Ybañez (0923) 1670009 Ground flr, Dreamfield Bldg, Sanciangko St., Kamagayan Cebu City

Paolo De Jesus (0927) 4757936 Central Mindanao/ Kidapawan City/Cotabato City North Cotabato Marilou Cablinda (0997) 3172021 Davao Region/ Eastern Mindanao Jeng Fernandez (0917) 7930652 Zamboanga Peninsula

Richard Suarez (0910) 7348600 Kismet Cable TV, Aquino cor. Cabrera sts., Gatas District, Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur

The Mindanao Examiner Regional Newspaper is published weekly in Mindanao, Philippines.

ZAMBOANGA CITY OFFICE: 3/F, JLC Building, Don Alfaro Street, Tetuan Phone & Fax: (062) 9555360 Mobile: (0915) 3976197

DAVAO CITY OFFICE Door 2, 402 Nidea Street, Barrio Obrero, Davao City, Philippines (082) 2841859 / (0932) 4323301 / (0997) 3172021

DAVAO CITY OFFICE: Door 2, 402 Nidea Street, Barrio Obrero Phone: (082) 2841859 Mobile: (0925) 7621914

ZAMBOANGA CITY OFFICE

3/F, JLC Building, Don Alfaro Street, Tetuan Zamboanga City (062) 9555360 / 0915-3976197 mindanaoexaminer.com

mindanaoexaminer@gmail.com

MANILA MARKETING OFFICE: No. 18 Purok 4B Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City, 1632 Contact Mobile No. TM 0916.955. 8559 Globe 0915.007.0926 Smart 0947.265.2969

HEALTH

Survey says low pay, limited career opportunity result to workers’ dissatisfaction FACED WITH a growing shortage of skilled workers and the challenging reality of transitioning employees back to on-site work, companies in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand are finding it more difficult to attract and retain talent.

Dissatisfaction with pay and benefits and limited career advancement has emerged as the primary drivers of higher-than-usual attrition levels. This is according to Mercer’s latest Covid-19 pulse survey that polled more than 850 employers globally, who have had to deal with labor shortages and return to worksite plans, including vaccination policies and worksite safety protocols that are constantly evolving as a result of the pandemic.

Most of the respondents in the Philippines observed a higher turnover rate, especially at the mid-career level when compared to past years.

And 67% of the employers listed employee dissatisfaction with pay as the main cause for attrition, followed by the employee’s ability to get better benefits at another company (52%) and limited career advancement (41%).

With more mid-career professionals leaving their jobs, employers are also finding it more difficult to recruit them, primarily because of the inability to find the right skills at the

9

The Mindanao Examiner

November 8-14, 2021

right price. More than half of the survey’s respondents experienced moderate to significant difficulty in attracting mid-career hires, compared to recruiting senior executives (33%) and entry-level positions (13%).

Teng Alday, CEO, Philippines, Mercer, said: “For organizations to thrive in this new work environment, it is important to look beyond the pandemic and understand what is needed to address workforce challenges. This means that there is a need to review the organization’s trajectory, reset priorities, and redirect attention to key issues that really matter – taking care of the workforce’s needs today and leading on tomorrow’s transformation.”

“Companies can no longer take business, workforce, culture or HR transformation in isolation. The future of work is no longer about gaining a competitive advantage, it is about staying relevant,” he added.

Looking at factors that influence a company’s ability to attract and retain workers, employers have been using financial incentives such as implementing employee referral bonuses (48%), enhancing total rewards packages with new benefits (36%) and paying higher than market rate wages (31%). However, the disruption caused

by COVID-19 has put the spotlight on factors beyond

financial incentives.

Majority of the survey’s respondents felt that while having a reputation of being a “great place to work” (69%) helps to attract talent, it is eventually the organization’s culture (86%) that helps to retain talent.

This is why employers have taken action in areas such as enhancing workplace flexibility as well as providing more well-being and mental health support.

Commenting on the findings, Godelieve van Dooren, Mercer’s CEO for the South East Asia Growth Markets, said: “The pandemic accelerated the need for employers to reassess their talent strategies and if a company wants to retain talent, it should focus on understanding why employees want to stay and work on those motivations.”

“If competitors for talent offer more benefits in the same areas, the inertia for employees to stay is weakened, outside job opportunities become more attractive and it will be more difficult to attract and retain talent. Companies must reinforce the right reasons and take a positive approach to managing retention, which will be more effective over the long run than simply reducing turnover.”

Mercer is a business of Marsh McLennan, the world’s leading professional services firm in the areas of risk, strategy and people and operates in 130 coun-

FATTY LIVER: Alagaan ang iyong Atay Ni Dr. Willie T. Ong

A

ng fatty liver ay isang kondisyon kung saan nababalot ng taba ang atay. Kung may fatty liver ka, kadalasan ay mataas din ang iyong kolesterol sa dugo, blood sugar at uric acid. Malamang ay sobra ka din sa timbang at malapad ang tiyan.

Malalaman na may fatty liver ang pasyente sa pamamagitan ng Ultrasound ng atay o Ultrasound of the Whole Abdomen.

Tumataas din ang liver enzymes o SGPT. May taong nakararamdam ng pananakit sa kanang bahagi ng tiyan. Ang iba naman ay walang sintomas.

Minsan ay lumalala ang fatty liver at umaabot sa pamamaga ng atay at liver cirrhosis.

Para maagapan ang fatty liver, sundin ang mga payong ito: 1. Itigil ang pag-inom ng alak. Kahit isang

patak ng wine, beer or hard drinks ay huwag nang subukan pa. Ihinto na rin ang paninigarilyo.

2. Magpapayat kung sobra ka sa timbang. Kapag nagbawas ka ng timbang, puwedeng mabawasan din ang taba sa iyong atay.

3. Umiwas sa pagkain ng matataba (oily) at matatamis na pagkain.

Limitahan ang pagkain ng cake, mantikilya, ice cream at karneng baboy at baka. Umiwas o bawasan na rin ang pag-inom ng matatamis na inumin tulad ng soft drinks at iced tea.

4. Kumain ng masustansyang pagkain tulad ng maberdeng gulay at isda. Puwedeng kumain ng prutas pero huwag din sosobrahan ito dahil ito’y matamis din.

5.

Gumalaw-galaw at mag-ehersisyo. Kapag nabawasan ang taba sa iyong katawan, mababa-

Organic Kopi Luwak or Civet coffee isn’t really pricey

PANAWAGAN NG TULONG NG PAMILYANG NAMATAYAN NG AMA DAHIL SA COVID. Una po sa lahat ay gusto po munang magpasalamat ng aming pamilya sa mga taong nagbigay ng tulong pinansyal sa amin. Salamat din po sa pagpapaabot ng inyong panalangin at pagpapalakas ng loob namin.

Tunay nga pong napakabigat ng problemang aming kinakaharap. Nawalan po kami ng mahal sa buhay at napakalaking halaga pa po ang kailangan namin dahil meron pa po kaming kailangang bayaran na utang sa ospital, as of Nov. 03, 2021 may balanse pa po kami na P1,509,500.00 (1,200,000.00 Hospital Bill + 309,500.00 Professional Fee).

Kaya naman po kami ay patuloy na kumakatok sa inyong mga puso, anumang halaga na inyong ipagkakaloob ay malaking kabawasan na sa pinansyal na problema na pinagdadaanan namin ngayon at ito ay tatanawin naming malaking utang na loob sa inyo.

Sa mga nais pa po na magbigay ng tulong, eto po ang GCash # namin.

0947-6428513 / 0965-5245150 - Marjorie B. Toh 0926-8850607 - Angelo Frederick A. Toh Pwede din po dito sa aming bank account.

Bank Name: Metrobank Account Name: Marjorie Buela Toh Account Number: 574-3-57411184-7 Maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat.

wasan din ang taba sa atay.

6. Kung ikaw ay may diabetes, gamutin ito.

Kumonsulta sa inyong doktor.

7. Kung mataas ang iyong kolesterol sa dugo, ibaba ito sa pamamagitan ng diyeta at gamot.

8. Kumain ng yogurt.

Ayon sa isang pagsusuri, may tulong ang good bacteria sa yogurt sa paggamot sa fatty liver.

Hindi pa ito tiyak pero pwede ninyong subukan.

9. Huwag basta-bastang uminom ng kahit anong tableta, supplements o vitamins. Huwag maniwala sa mga sabi-sabi. Itanong muna sa inyong doktor kung makasasama ba ito sa iyong atay.

Sadyang dyeta, exercise at paggamot sa diabetes at mataas na kolesterol ang lunas sa fatty liver. Alagaan natin ang ating atay.

KIDAPAWAN CITY Coffee lovers in the Philippines may now enjoy the best and the most expensive coffee in the world - Kopi Luwak - but not as pricey as every connoisseurs think.

Kopi Luwak is a coffee that consists of partially digested coffee cherries, which have been eaten and defecated by the Asian palm civet. The cherries are fermented as they pass through a civet’s intestines, and after being defecated

with other fecal matter, they are collected.

In Manila, a kilogram of Civet coffee sells for as high as P15,000 and over $500 dollars abroad.

But Kopi Luwak can now be enjoyed by every coffee lovers for as low as P150 for a 16 oz. cup that comes with a drip bag, ground organic Civet coffee beans, two packets of brown sugar and a stirrer in a beautiful Kraft paper bag – thanks to the Mindanao Civet Coffee

seller in Zamboanga City.

The new market player in the coffee business, although small, is now offering affordable organic Kopi Luwak – sourced and picked by farmers from the highlands of Mindanao, cleaned and dried and roasted to perfection to give coffee lovers that distinct aroma of Civet coffee berries – chocolaty and nutty and smooth bodied brewed drink.

Mindanao Civet Coffee, which started as a home reseller of coffee beans, now offers organic Kopi Luwak in 250 grams ground Civet coffee and 250 grams Civet coffee beans – all medium roasted to perfection.

Kopi Luwak is also available now in 3rd Cup Café at LM Metro Hotel in Zamboanga City, and resellers in Luzon, Cebu and other parts of Mindanao.

The Mindanao Civet Coffee is a favorite among travellers and tourists and coffee connoisseurs. And for those who wanted the perfect gift for all occasions, Kopi Luwak is the best choice.

And those who are interested to resell or perhaps enjoy a daily hot cup or cold brew of Kopi Luwak may call the Mindanao Civet Coffee at this mobile number 09153976197. (AJC)

10

The Mindanao Examiner

November 8-14, 2021

November 8-14, 2021

The Mindanao Examiner

11

Founded 2006 mindanaoexaminer.com FOR ADVERTISEMENTS, PLEASE CALL (062) 9555360 or (082) 2841859

P10

November 8-14, 2021

Cebu mayor no longer running for re-election

C

EBU CITY – Mayor Edgardo Labella is no longer seeking re-election and has remained in hospital due to pneumonia and his family is asking Cebuanos to pray for his fast recovery.

“We, the Labella fami- hospital in Cebu City,” said the family announced that Laly, appear in front of you all a statement from the family bella had taken an indefinite today to discuss the current read by the mayor’s son, Eu- medical leave. health situation of my father, gene, in a recent press conferThe family said the mayor Mayor Edgardo C. Labella. ence. is no longer seeking re-elecIn response to the questions Labella’s wife, Joy, and tion, but in the few remaining from the media and people son, Jaypee, who is running months of his term, wishes to on social media, we confirm for councilor in the city’s north see through all the programs that Mayor Labella is cur- district, were also present. Be- and projects he started. While rently admitted in a private cause of his health condition, recuperating, Labella assured

BPO remains key strategy to property market recoverya THE BUSINESS process outsourcing (BPO) industry is expected to usher recovery of the property market like what the sector did during the 2008 global financial crisis, according to Dom Frederick Andaya, Director for Office Services of Colliers Philippines.

In a market briefing, Andaya said strong demand for office space is expected from the BPO sector as the United States economy has started to open up. “Right now similar to what happened during the global financial crisis, outsourcing as a strategy to recover and rebuild will be significant moving forward,” he said.

He said the industry is expected to expand by 8% in revenues and full-time employees, with drivers of growth in financial services, banking, insurance, and high level works such as software development and game development, among others.

Andaya said BPOs would help in the absorption of available office space in Metro Manila currently

ARMM

at 1.78 million square meters or equivalent to 60 vacant buildings with a leasable area of 30,000 sqm per building, adding the absorption period for the 1.78 million sqm vacant office space will be around 3.5 years.

Aside from Metro Manila, BPO companies are looking for office spaces in the provinces of Cebu, Pampanga, Iloilo, Bacolod, and Davao.

The property market expert said the adoption of a hybrid work model, combining on-site and work-from-home work arrangements, as well as the availability of IT parks and buildings registered with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) could also affect the investment strategies of companies, particularly BPO firms.

“Some of them are studying, but some of the questions are the following: Are the PEZA-registered enterprises allowed to shift from other investment promotion agencies like BOI (Board of Investments) which does not require companies to operate within specific

locations, that means they will have the flexibility to implement their hybrid work model strategy,” Andaya added.

Trade Secretary and BOI chair Ramon Lopez also confirmed that BPOs can get the same incentives under the CREATE Law whether they register with PEZA and BOI. CREATE Law is short for “Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises” which is the second package of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program that reduces the corporate income tax rate from 30% to 20%.

For companies registering with PEZA, they are required to locate inside PEZA-registered IT parks and buildings or economic zones, while companies can locate anywhere when registering with BOI. Colliers is a leading diversified professional services and investment management company with operations in 65 countries and more than 15,000 enterprising professionals who work collaboratively to provide expert advice to real estate occupiers, owners and investors. (Kris Crismundo)

Eastern Mindanao

the Cebuanos that the governance in Cebu City Hall had been handed over to Vice Mayor Michael Rama, who also called on Cebuanos to pray for Labella’s recovery.

The family said Labella was diagnosed with prostate cancer 12 years ago, but was cleared after an operation and treatment. But the mayor's health suffered due to pneumonia.

“He worked non-stop to oversee and make sure that the city is able to efficiently carry out its Covid response and recovery efforts to the point that his own health took a back seat,” the family's statement said.

The mayor was initially admitted for an ear infection in January which later aggravated and led to sepsis and blood infection. “He almost died at that point,” the statement read.

Although the mayor was able to recover from the ear

Mayor Edgardo Labella. infection, he experienced “recurring pneumonia” and was brought to the hospital several times in July then stayed in the hospital for a few more

weeks and later on transferred to the Intensive Care Unit. (John Rey Saavedra.

With additional report from Cebu Examiner.)

Police warn public over fake peso bills

POLICE WARNED the public against the proliferation of counterfeit peso bills following the separate arrest of two persons in Cebu City for manufacturing and in possession of fake P500 and P1000 bills.

The duo, Ivan Noval Luardo and Joseph Mercado Salas, were arrested by the members of the Banko Sentral ng Philippines and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group for illegal possession and use of false treasury or banknotes.

Western Mindanao

Seized from the suspects were P112,000 worth of counterfeit peso bills from the suspects.

“I instructed the CIDG and other unit commanders to step up intelligence-gathering and operations, in coordination with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, to ensure that those who benefit from this modus will not be given the opportunity to victimize our kababayans,” said National Police Chief, General Guillermo Eleazar.

Cebu

He also urged the public to familiarize themselves with the security features of genuine peso bills to avoid falling prey to the use of fake banknotes.

“Maaaring kulong ang sapitin ng sinomang magtatangkang gumamit ng pekeng pera sa anumang transaksyon. Agad ninyong idulog sa pinakamalapit na police station o kaya’y i-report sa ating PNP E-Sumbong platforms kung kayo ay nabiktima o napasahan ng counterfeit na pera para agad ay magawan namin ng kaukulang aksyon at mahuli ang gumagawa nito,” Eleazar said.

Police did not provide other details on the background of those arrested or whether they are members of a syndicate. (Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)

Manila