Edge Davao Volume 13 Issue 64 |Thursday, June 25, 2020

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Tricycles, which also carry hardware products, wait for passengers at a “No Parking” zone and bicycle lane along R. Castillo Street in Davao City on Wednesday. Edge Davao

Talks on Mati airport expansion to resume after Covid-19 restrictions STORY ON PAGE 2

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VOL.13 ISSUE 64 • THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2020

ON HOLD

Mati City Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat says talks on the expansion of the existing runway of Mati airport is expected to resume whenever all restrictions implemented amid COVID-19, the new coronavirus 2019, pandemic are lifted. Edge Davao

Talks on Mati airport expansion to resume after Covid-19 restrictions

By MAYA M. PADILLO ati City Mayor Michelle Nakpil Rabat said on Wednesday that talks with the Department of Transportation (DoTr) on the expansion of the existing runway of Mati airport is expected to resume once the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

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One of the main improvement works needed in the airport is an expansion of the existing 1,625-meter runway to accommodate bigger aircraft. A P200-million fund from the national government has already been al-

located for the runway.

“Before the COVID-19 happened, nasa pipeline na yan and we discussed already with DoTr, Governor Nelson Dayanghirang and Congressman Joel Mayo Almario. Nangyari lang ang pandemic but

upon the last update according to DoTr andiyan pa ang budget hindi pa ginalaw so maybe when everything is lifted baka ma-resume na ang talks namin with regards to the expansion of the airport,” she said.

Rabat said Mati will be needing the airport not only for tourism but more also for the movement of products.

“Marami kaming plano dito sa Mati and one of those ay dapat operational na ang aming mga ports such as seaport and airport and the overland

transport,” she said.

The Mati airport was built in the early 1980s under then Davao Oriental Governor Francisco G. Rabat, the incumbent mayor’s deceased father.

The reopening of the airport is expected to boost, not just tourism but the overall investment climate in the province as well as bring more opportunities for growth.

Davao Oriental’s popular tourist destinations include the Dahican Beach in Mati, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Mt. Hamiguitan, and Aliwagwag Falls.

PRRD sees ‘no problem’ in 14-day detention under anti-terror bill

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resident Rodrigo R. Duterte has no problem with the provision of the anti-terrorism bill that would allow suspected terrorists without arrest warrants to be detained for 14 days, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said although the President has yet to read the controversial measure himself, he saw nothing wrong with the provision that allows a 14-day detention period because it does not change the provision in the 1987 Constitution that a judge would issue a warrant of arrest if there is “probable cause.”

“He does not feel that the 14-day period is actually a violation of the Constitutional provision that a warrant of arrest can only be issued by a judge because the law does not change that Constitutional rule,” Roque said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel’s Headstart.

He said the anti-terrorism bill also contains a provision where law enforcement officers who made the warrantless arrest should give a notice to

the court.

“After the pre-trial detention of 14 days, extendable for another 10 days, and notice has to be given to the nearest judge, it is still the court that will issue a warrant of arrest for purposes of actually arresting him or for the purpose of the court acquiring jurisdiction over the person of accused,” Roque said.

He said the President, a trial fiscal, has a “clear distinction” between pre-trial detention and warrant of arrest for purposes of court jurisdiction.

According to Roque, the President likewise agreed to the provision in the bill that allows law enforcement officers to seek an extension of 10 days for the detention.

“The warrant of arrest is actually required to acquire jurisdiction over the person as far as the court is concerned and we did not amend that law. It is still only the judge that can issue a warrant of arrest for purposes of jurisdiction,” he said.

Roque also contradicted the statement made by retired Supreme Court

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NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

Mati City seeks PhilHealth accreditation for Ligtas Covid

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President Rodrigo Duterte says he has no problem with the provision of the anti-terrorism bill that would allow suspected terrorists without arrest warrants to be detained for 14 days. Presidential Photo

Child abuses, protection policy to be taught in Davao schools

By MAYA M. PADILLO hild abuses and how to protect them will now be taught in schools through the Child Protection Policy (CPP) modules.

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The city government of Davao in collaboration with Department of Education-Davao Division (DepEd-Davao), City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), and Talikala Inc. crafted the CPP modules which will be implemented in all public and private schools in Davao City starting school year 2020-2021.

The modules contain age-appropriate learning instructions for all subjects aligned with the K to 12 Curriculum. One of the topics is “Pag-amping sa Kabataan ug Kaluwasan Gikan sa Kadautan” for Grade 3

students under the Values Education subject.

Superintendent Reynaldo Guillena of DepEdDavao Region said during the virtual launch on Tuesday that DepEd 11 has integrated this policy in all subject areas even in Mathematics.

“For example in mathematics, naa ni siya sa content for example ang statistics sa rape cases ug child abuses and with that naa na idea ang mga bata nga rampant ning mga abuses among children,” he said.

Guillena said the DepEd will distribute the policy in all schools in Davao City

MTRCB exec airs concern over online streaming content

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ith the popularity of online streaming shows as a primary form of entertainment amidst the COVID-19 quarantine, an official of the MTRCB (Movie and Television Review and Classification Board) has aired concern over some of its content which is unsuitable for children.

“Even before the quarantine, online content both foreign and local was already a concern. Streaming services have been getting more and more subscribers, most of them families with children, it's safe to say that their viewership jumped significantly during quarantine,” says Atty. Jeremiah Jaro, vice-chairperson of the MTRCB during his guesting at the Rock the Knight Podcast.

Among the popular streaming services in the

country are Netflix, IFlix, HBO Go and IWant TV. Jaro says he is concerned because of the more mature themes and scenes previously restricted to cinema are now readily accessible on mobile phones, tablets and laptops which are usually found in the hands of children.

The MTRCB vice-chair says these streaming services do practice self-regulation, they have age suitability ratings and parental controls in place, however he found loopholes.

He recalls inputting a different birthdate in the age verification control of a streaming platform to check if the age information is strictly verified which Jaro found virtually inexistent.

“Kids can just input whatever birthdate and

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via soft copyand will conduct online seminar for the teachers for the utilization of the modules.

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said the idea of coming up with the modules started during a meeting with the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) wherein the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) presented increasing number of rape cases in Davao City.

Based on the 2020 data from DCPO, 40 percent of the cases are perpetrated by individuals age between 18 and 25 years old. The majority of the victims are female students from the age range 12-17 years old in 2019 and 2020.

The mayor also cited the five-year-old kindergarten pupil who was raped and killed in Matina Pangi,

Davao City.

“When the rape incident in Matina Pangi happened, I approached DepEd at that time it was DepEd 11 assistant regional director Maria Ines Asuncion and told her na daghan na kaayo sa atoang mga bata ang victims sa child abuse and rape,” she said.

In the presentation of Asuncion, there are a total of 284 reported number of cases in Talomo police station in Davao City for the past two years and majority of this sexual abuse cases involved children as young as five years old.

Based on the Women and Children Protection desk, it is observed that the highest reported rape cases in 2019 are in Police Station 4 in Sasa, Police Station

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he Mati City local government is seeking accreditation from the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) for its “Ligtas Covid Center” where coronavirus disease patients are admitted.

In a statement Wednesday, Mayor Michelle Rabat said they are currently processing their application for PhilHealth accreditation now that the Alternate Care Site (ACS) has been certified by the DOH. Earlier, the Department of Health (DOH) certified the Isolation Facility of the Divine Healer as a Ligtas Covid Center or “temporary treatment and monitoring facility” that is equipped with 46 beds.

“A PhilHealth accreditation would mean that the ACS would be paid by PhilHealth for their expenses when treating a PhilHealth cardholder. Because at the moment, all medicines and other equipment used in the isolation and treatment of PUIs at the ACS are shouldered by the city government at no cost to the patients,” Rabat said.

Cost of treatment for coronavirus disease 2019

(Covid-19) ranges from PHP43,000 to as high as over PHP1 million per patient -- depending on the hospital, the severity of symptoms and the number of confinement days.

Starting April 15, PhilHealth rolled out new benefits package to cover patients with Covid-19, depending on the severity of infection: patients with mild pneumonia (PHP43,997), patients with moderate pneumonia (PHP143,267), patients with severe pneumonia (PHP333,519), and patients with critical pneumonia (PHP786,984).

Meanwhile, Dr. Ben Hur Catbagan Jr., local Incident Management Team (IMT) commander, noted that the ACS could only handle mild Covid-19 cases for now and for severe cases, they will have to be transported to the Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC) in Tagum City, Davao del Norte for treatment.

“Our ACS manager is on the way to DRMC today for document signing (proof of service delivery) as part of the requirement for PHIC accreditation,” Catbagan added. (PNA)

Dabawenyos urged to buy tickets from legit agents

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abawenyos who wish to travel in and out of the country are reminded to purchase tickets directly from airline companies and their legitimate agents, an official said Tuesday.

In a statement, City Tourism Officer, Gene Rose Tecson also urged travelers to check the travel guidelines and restrictions issued on June 21 by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for their safety and to avoid being stranded while on transit elsewhere during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

The DFA travel advisory enumerated travel bans and restrictions for Filipi-

nos imposed by more than 160 countries in the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East and Africa.

The department told travelers to check their official platforms from time to time since the travel bans and restrictions would be subject to change without prior and sufficient notice.

“Please refrain from getting tickets from unlicensed travel agents or ticketing offices. No one should be selling right now, except the airlines themselves,” Tecson said.

She said travelers should make the necessary coordination with the embassies or consulates of

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As Davao City marks its 100th day of community quarantine on Tuesday (23 June 2020), everything looks normal along San Pedro Street downtown except that the people are wearing face masks. Mindanews photo

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PH eyes safeguard measures on imported aluminum, steel products

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Cebu Pacific’s Corporate Communications director Charo Logarta-Lagamon says the airline is ready to add more flights to its Manila-Davao and vice versa air routes and just waiting for the approval of the city government of Davao. Edge Davao

Better currency swap system among ASEAN takes effect on June 23

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he amended Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization (CMIM) agreement is set to take effect on June 23, offering a stronger currency swap arrangement and financial safety net among Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member-states and their partner-economies in the region.

According to the International Finance Group (IFG) of the Department of Finance (DOF), all finance ministers and central bank governors of the Asean and its “Plus 3” partners Korea, Japan and China, along with the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, have signed the amended CMIM. Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III signed the amended CMIM in December last year, while the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Industry of Myanmar signed the amended agreement on June 16, completing all 27 signatures needed for the amended CMIM agreement to enter in force.

The CMIM, which came into effect in March 2010, aims to address balance-of-payments (BOP) and short-term liquidity difficulties in the Asean and its partners Korea, Japan, and China, along with

Hong Kong.

The current size of the CMIM has since doubled to USD240 billion and its International Monetary Fund (IMF)-delinked portion has since been raised to 30 percent, which means member-economies could draw up to 30 percent of their maximum borrowing amount without being subjected to lending conditions set by the IMF. The IFG reported that among the key points in the amended CMIM is the flexibility on the supporting period for financing linked to IMF-lending conditions.

This will be done by allowing multiple renewals to match the supporting period of the IMF-supported programs.

Adjustments of the other financing terms under the CMIM, such as the disbursement date, have also been made to secure con-

sistency with the IMF-supported program in the case of co-financing arrangements.

The amended agreement also strengthened the CMIM's coordination with the IMF by establishing a set of operational guidelines, which aims to create a shared view on economic and financial situations, financing needs, and policy recommendation for co-financing.

The modalities of early information-sharing with the IMF have been aligned with this strengthened coordination process.

The CMIM IMFdelinked portion has two facilities: a Precautionary Line (CMIM-PL) which is a crisis prevention facility that may be tapped for potential crisis or liquidity difficulties; and the Stability Facility (CMIM-SF), which is for crisis resolution.

Under the amended CMIM, a legal basis for conditionality was introduced that applies to both facilities--unlike before when conditionality only covered the CMIM-PL. In the case of co-financing with the IMF, the CMIM now requires that the conditionality should be consistent with that of

the relevant IMF-supported program.

Other salient features of the amended CMIM include the program review and monitoring process are reinforced by clarifying the issues to be reviewed and monitored after a CMIM arrangement is approved, and a series of financing conditions has been upgraded to match the relevant IMF-supported program.

These also include rules on confidentiality have been eased so that some CMIM-related information could be provided for media coverage to bolster market confidence when the CMIM is activated, and to third parties.

As a signatory to the CMIM, the Philippines may be able to borrow up to USD22.76 billion from the facility to help avert an impending or actual BOP crisis.

The Philippines will also be able to provide liquidity assistance to another CMIM member if so needed.

Under the CMIM, each member-state can swap its local currency with US dollars based on certain conditions when faced with short-term liquidity or BOP problems. (PR)

"We are currently on track for the more optimistic scenario. If trade volumes rebound by a relatively modest 2.5 percent per quarter for the rest of the year, then the overall decline for 2020 will be around 13 percent," WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo said in his video message Tuesday.

Azevêdo said governments started to relax lockdown measures and travel restrictions, while commercial flights have picked up.

He added the purchasing manager’s index for export orders also started to improve from historic declines in April.

“This is genuinely positive news but we cannot afford to be complacent. A second wave of Covid-19 outbreaks would threaten both lives and livelihoods,” he said.

Azevêdo said policymakers will determine the pace of economic recovery.

“For strong rebounds in output and trade in

2021, fiscal, monetary, and trade policies will all need to pull in the same direction. Closing markets to trade would mean uncertainty, supply shocks, weaker productivity, and lower living standards.

Keeping markets open to trade flows would do the opposite,” the WTO chief said.

WTO estimated that global trade in the second quarter of the year registered its largest drop of 18.5 percent year-on-year.

(PNA)

Global trade leaning toward more positive scenario: WTO

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he World Trade Organization (WTO) has updated its global trade outlook for this year amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, projecting it is “unlikely to reach the worst-case scenario”.

In April, WTO forecasted that global trade would decline between 13 percent and 32 percent due to the pandemic and associated lockdown measures implemented by many governments around the world.

he Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of its three preliminary safeguard investigations on imported aluminum and steel products, indicating that the domestic industry has suffered due to a surge in imports.

“The investigation has been initiated to determine whether safeguard measures are warranted,” the Philippines said in its notification to the WTO dated June 22.

The DTI conducted its preliminary investigations on imported aluminum-zinc sheets, coils, and strips; pre-painted galvanized iron and pre-painted aluminum-zinc, and galvanized iron sheets, coils, and strips.

Surge in imported aluminum-zinc sheets, coils, and strips According to the report published by the DTI, there has been a significant increase in the import of aluminum-zinc sheets, coils, and strips.

In 2014, the country imported only 770 metric tons (MT) of aluminum-zinc sheets, coils, and strips but this surged by 3,090 percent in 2015, 300 percent in 2016, 7 percent in 2017, and 20 percent in 2018.

From the 2014 level, imported aluminum-zinc sheets, coils, and strips in 2018 reached 126,000 MT. “The share of imports of non-manufacturers to (the) total Philippine market has been increasing during the POI (period of investigation). According to the domestic industry, they imported the said product due to its competitive price, as well as to bring down its production/manufacturing cost,” the DTI report said.

The local market share of importers grew from 1 percent in 2014 to more than 50 percent in 2018.

The investigations also found a continued decline in employment, with jobs falling by 40 percent between 2014 and 2018.

Imported steel increas-

es share in local market Despite the fluctuating growth trend in the inbound shipment of galvanized iron sheets, coils, and strips, the increased volume of imported products in the local market devoured the market share of domestic producers.

“The condition of (the) competition showed that the market share of domestic products decreased during the POI from 69 percent in 2014 to 9 percent in 2018, as share of imports in the domestic market significantly increased,” the DTI report on the preliminary investigation on imported galvanized iron sheets, coils, and strips said.

Imports of these products climbed to 299,000 MT in 2018 from 18,500 MT in 2014.

Cheap imports affect competitiveness of local products “According to the domestic industry, sales for locally manufactured pre-painted galvanized iron and pre-painted aluminum-zinc are lost because they cannot compete with the low price of imported products,” the report said.

It added that the average landed cost of imports of these products is lower by about 20 percent than the domestic selling price.

The market share of local manufacturers of pre-painted galvanized iron and pre-painted aluminum-zinc also declined to 29 percent in 2018 from 38 percent in 2015.

China as major source Most of the imported products came from China, while other sources included South Korea for galvanized iron sheets, coils and strips and Vietnam for pre-painted galvanized iron and pre-painted aluminum-zinc.

As a WTO member, the Philippines may pursue safeguard measures, such as temporary import restrictions on a product if the surge in the inbound shipment of the product causes serious injury to the domestic industry. (PNA)

PH foreign reserves surge to record-high $93.3-B

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he country’s gross international reserves (GIR) level, based on preliminary data, rose by USD2.35 billion to USD93.29 billion as of end-May 2020 from the end-April 2020 level of USD90.94 billion.

The month-on-month increase in the GIR level reflected inflows mainly from the national government’s (NG) foreign currency deposits with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) of proceeds from its issuance of Republic of the Philippines (ROP) global bonds, and the BSP’s foreign exchange operations.

These inflows were partly offset, however, by the foreign currency withdrawals made by the NG to pay its foreign currency debt obligations.

The hefty level of GIR represents an external liquidity buffer which can cushion the domestic economy against external shocks.

Specifically, it ensures availability of foreign exchange to meet balance of payments financing needs, such as for payment of imports and debt service, in extreme conditions when there are no export earnings or foreign loans.

As of end-May 2020, the current GIR level is equivalent to 8.4 months’ worth of imports of goods and payments of services and primary income.

It can cover seven times the country’s short-term external debt based on original maturity and 4.6 times based on

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EDGEDAVAO

ECONOMY 5

The Lobby Cafe at the Arcadia Active Lifestyle Center is now open for dine-in from Monday-Friday (9am-5pm), following the city guidelines for Covid-19. The cafe reminds customers to always wear masks upon dining and to follow the safety protocols upon entry. (File photo)

seeks tax break Pinoy lawyer tagged in Wirecard’s Restaurateur amid struggles with COVID-19 missing $2.1B says he was framed D

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eleaguered lawyer Mark Kristopher Tolentino, who was caught in the middle of a controversy involving German payments provider Wirecard’s supposedly missing $2.1 billion, on Tuesday said he was framed and his identity was compromised.

“I am just a victim of identity theft and I was framed up,” Tolentino said.

German news outlet Süddeutsche Zeiting reported that Tolentino was appointed a trustee of Wirecard to open six accounts with BDO and BPI to hold in escrow the payments firm’s 1.9 billion euros or $2.1 billion.

But, this is not the case, according to the lawyer.

Tolentino recalled that in the last week of January or early February “foreigners” walked into his office and told him they wanted to start a business in the Philippines.

“I advised them they can open a corporation, but they told me they are in a hurry and setting up a company will take so much time,” he said.

“They said, ‘can you be the trustee of the company? Then, they handed over a letter...,” he added, noting he just received the letter requesting him to be a trustee and “it is not a

contract.”

After receiving the letter, Tolentino said he opened three euro accounts under his law firm M.K. Tolentino Law & Business Consultancy Office at a BDO Unibank branch in Taguig City and another three euro accounts at a Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) branch in Makati City.

He said he complied with all the “know-your-customer” requirements in opening the said accounts and said the initial deposits for the accounts were relatively small, "just enough to buy an iPhone."

Tolentino emphasized that the bank accounts opened were all under his law firm and “not in trust of Wirecard.”

“In this case binibigay ko sa kanila ‘yung mga bank account number ko. Ang ginagawa naman nila, based on my investigation, gumagawa ng mga dokumento using my bank

name para ma-justify yung $2 billion na nawala daw,” he said.

“Ang nakalagay doon sa bank statements na nilabas nila is ‘MK Tolentino Law Office in trust for Wirecard.’ Pano nangyari ‘yun eh ‘yung bank account na yan is just MK Tolentino Law Office wala namang ‘in trust to wirecard’,” he added.

Another inconsistency he noticed was that some bank statements issued were dated December 2019 and from a BDO branch in Cavite and BPI branch in Manila.

“Pano nangyari na may bank statement na December 2019 eh ang ang account ko na-open February 2020? Tapos galing BDO sa Cavite pero ang account nasa BGC...may BPI bank statement galing Manila pero ang account na in-open ko nasa Makati,” Tolentino said.

“So ‘yun talaga ang nangyari, identity theft ang nangyari. Ninakaw ang pangalan ko, account number ko,” he said.

BDO and BPI have earlier denied involvement with Wirecard, saying the documents presented to the banks were forged or spurious.

Wirecard, in an earlier statement, said it was informed by its auditor

Ernst and Young (EY) that it refused to clear its 2019 accounts over “spurious balance confirmations.”

It said EY has received communications from two Asian banks, which were supposed to be holding the 1.9 billion euros or $2.1 billion, that they have taken over the management of trust accounts for Wirecard since 2019.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, however, said none of Wirecard’s missing $2.1 billion entered the country’s financial system.

The scandal-hit German payments provider, likewise, said that the missing money it booked in its accounts “likely never existed.”

The chief executive of Wirecard, Markus Braun, has resigned after the search for $2.1 billion of cash missing from the embattled electronic payments firm hit a dead end in the Philippines.

Braun was arrested on suspicion of market manipulation, German prosecutors said Tuesday, after the payments provider admitted that 1.9 billion euros missing from its accounts likely "do not exist."

Tolentino said it is ridiculous to point him as a key figure in the financial

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ue to the limit on customers, a restaurant owner in Palawan had asked the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases if they could be given a tax break or even a tax holiday amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

According to JM Encinas' report on "Stand for Truth," though Palawan was one of the areas in the country with the lowest reported COVID-19 cases, the pandemic's effect were still felt. "'Yung mga naging suggestions namin sa aming city, hopefully, mapaagaralan mabuti ng national government na mabigyan ng mga tax break, tax holiday, para sa mga restaurant owners kagaya namin, especially isa kami sa mag

hardest hit, kasama ng tourism sector," Christian Yayen said.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said the IATF needed to consult with local chief executives on the matter.

"Para naman sa mga business tax na binabayaran sa mga local government units tanong natin 'yung mga mayors kung willing sila kasi desisyon 'yan ng mga sanggunian, bawat LGU can decide," Malaya said.

"For example, puwede sabihin ni Maynila, bilang tulong sa mga negosyante dito sa lungsod ng Maynila, I will ask the city council to amend the ordinance, 'yung kanilang tax ordinance, para mabigyan ng tax break 'yung mga negosyante," he added.

Aboitiz Group to lay off workers due to the impact of COVID-19

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ven one of the country’s largest conglomerates is not spared from the economic fallout brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic as it was forced to lay off workers.

The Aboitiz Group, in a statement, said it reached the decision following a review of its operations in light of the present challenges arising from the

health crisis situation.

“Part of the review is the rationalization of its workforce, where, regrettably, several team members will be affected by their service ending on July 31, 2020,” the company said.

While Aboitiz Group did not disclose the number of workers affected, it said “they will receive a substantial separation

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6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 64 • THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2020

On re-opening of fitness gyms in Davao City amid Covid-19: We’re suffering from the shutdown. No income and we’re paying rent and loans. Para sa akin dapat ma open na ang mga gyms kasi this will help also para people can exercise already marami kasi sanay sa gym because of the equipments plus para din ma boost ang immune system since nag lockdown people are not doing anything kaya dami ng gain weight. Basta pag na allow ma open ang mga gyms kailangan talaga follow social distancing, wearing of face mask and face shield, constant washing of hands, bringing of towels and regular disinfection of equipments being used from time to time.

JIMMY JAVIER, fitness gym operator

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EDGEDAVAO

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VANTAGE POINTS

7

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

CONVICTION OF LUDDAY, A BAGOBO In pre-Commonwealth Davao, there occurred a grisly crime that for some petty reason resulted in the death of a six-year-old Japanese boy who was the focus of a vendetta of a Bagobo hemp stripper who had an altercation with the child’s father.

In the charge sheet that was filed before the Court of First Instance of Davao, Ludday, a Bagobo, was sued for the crime of murder that took place on November 15, 1933, at the municipal district of Guianga. The victim of the heinous crime was Kyoyasu Nagamine, a six-yearold boy.

The defendant pleaded innocent, but the court found guilty or murder; he was sentenced from ten years and a day of prison mayor to seventeen years, four months, and one day of reclusion temporal, and ordered to indemnify the victim the sum of P500, without subsidiary imprisonment in case of insolvency, and pay the cost of litigation.

Ludday appealed his case to the higher court despite the

position of his de oficio lawyer that there was enough evidence to prove the CFI did not err in its decision. Docketed in the Supreme Court as case G.R. No. L-41486, it was finally resolved on March 7, 1935.

A review of the crime showed that on the day of the incident, Kyoyasu Nagamine, who was playing near a hemp stripper operated by Seriko Takara, was on his way home when he was followed. Ludday, according to witnesses, was wearing white undershirt and short khaki trousers, and was carrying a bolo, a big knife for chopping down abaca trunks.

Court records stated Ludday overtook the boy, put his arm around his shoulder, brought the child to the hemp farm, and were later lost from Takara’s sight. Over half an hour later, Ludday showed up at his workplace but was now wearing a striped short.

Later, Kameji Nagamine, the father of the child, showed up at the shop and inquired from Takara if he saw the child.

He responded by saying Kyo-

yasu had already gone home with Ludday. He went home to see if indeed the child had gone home but failed to find him. He returned to Takara’s workshop and asked Ludday about the child’s whereabout but denied knowing where he was. The court narrative continued: “Takara stopped work and requested some Japanese to help him look for the child, but they were unable to find the little boy that evening. The next morning Kameji Nagamine and two young Bagobos named Serra and Ende found the dead body of Kyoyasu in the hemp plantation of Tanaguchi in Tibuloy 100 meters from the road and 150 meters from the hemp stripping machine. The place where the body was found was near the trail leading from the public road to Baracatan. It was concealed by the hemp plants.

The deceased had four mortal wounds on the head and neck caused by a cutting instrument.”

After being notified of the incident, Philippine Constabulary operatives searched Ludday’s house and found a

bolo with stains of blood and a bloodstained undershirt under the roof. His rubber shoes, covered with mud, were also located. Adding more woes to Ludday’s predicament were the testimonies of two other Bagobos, Owe and Bansilan, who confirmed: “{T]hat between five and six o’clock in the afternoon of November 15th, when they and another Bagobo named Balawag were returning home from work, they saw the defendant running towards the hemp plantation of Tanaguchi; that he indicated to them that they were not to tell anybody that they had seen him; that at that time the defendant had a bolo hanging from his belt and was wearing short khaki trousers and a white undershirt. Owe testified that when they met the defendant, he told them not to tell anybody that they had met him in that place. Bansilan testified that when the defendant saw Balawag, he raised his hand and told them not to say anything; that at that time the defendant was carrying a bolo in

his belt and wearing short khaki trousers and a dirty white undershirt.”

Another Japanese, Shiney Kakasu, also testified that while crossing the hemp field of Tanaguchi that late afternoon he met Ludday and spoke to the suspect who looked pale and was running towards Baracatan. The lower court later found the defendant guilty of murder, declaring the qualifying circumstances pointed to the fact that Ludday took advantage of his superior strength in committing the crime. The defendant appealed his case.

In deciding the appealed case, the Supreme Court declared that “there is no controversy as to the corpus delicti or the fact of the crime,” adding the “only question in whether the circumstantial evidence is enough to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that it was the defendant that killed the child.”

It also affirmed the verdict of the lower court was affirmed and ordered that the indemnification of P500 imposed on Ludday be doubled.

HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

DENGUE CASES DOWN BUT… Rainy season is here. And there’s likelihood that dengue will strike again as the mosquito eggs that were hidden somewhere will be hatched – and once they become adults, they’re ready to attack again!

But the good news is: dengue cases are on the decline!

Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) said a total of 210 dengue cases were reported from the Philippines – with zero deaths! – as of May 2.

“This is 92% lower compared to the same period in 2019 (which had 2,471 cases),” the data said. “A cumulative total of 48,194 dengue cases has been reported from January 1 to May 2, 2020. The cumulative figure as of week 18 is 40% lower compared to the 80,444 cases reported in the same period in 2019.”

This is quite good as the country is still experiencing the effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Last June 15, the CNN reported that “a significant decrease” has continued. Quoting Dr. Norielyn M. Evangelista, program manager of the Dengue Prevention and Control Program of the Department of Health (DOH), said the decline “can be attributed to the

public’s increased awareness brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Ito ay posibleng epekto ng ating increased awareness na dala ng pandemic situation,” Dr. Evangelista was quoted as saying.

But despite the fact that the number of dengue cases is decreasing, Filipinos should not be complacent as the rainy season has just started.

“Although dengue is rarely lethal, its contribution to disease and ill health, especially among young children, should make dengue control a primary public health concern,” says Dr. Dominic L. Garcia, an infectious disease specialist.

The best protection against dengue is not to be bitten by the mosquito carrying the virus.

According to Dr. Willie T. Ong, who has authored several books, there are several things you can do in order for you not to be bitten.

“There’s no need to panic (when it comes to dengue) because we have 10 ways to beat dengue,” says the 2007 recipient of the Outstanding Filipino Physician award from the Department of Health.

1. Clean up your backyard.

Mosquitoes love to stay in the

dark and damp areas. So, if your garage is littered with boxes and assorted garbage, clean them up or throw them away.

Don’t let them become mosquito havens. Schedule a weekend clean-up day.

2. Empty containers with stagnant water. The dengue-carrying mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. This means that flower pots, garbage cans, aquariums, unused swimming pools, tires and other piles are potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes. So, after the rains fill them with water, throw the water away. Next time, keep these containers closed and upside down. Flower vases should also be replaced weekly.

3. Check your surroundings for stagnant water. Some ornamental plant leaves have this “whorl” or cup-like shape that can hold water. Beautiful to behold but deadly in design. Turn them over and throw the water away. Upturned coconut shells are also notorious for holding water. Non-moving rivers, especially in squatter areas, are full of mosquito eggs.

4. Close your doors and windows. Some people open their doors in the morning for a whiff of fresh air. They also believe that mosquitoes would

leave the house and go into the sunlight. “But my advice is to keep your doors shut at all times,” he advises. If it’s too stuffy, then place a screen door that keeps the flies and mosquitoes outside.

5. Spray insecticide regularly. To rid your house of mosquitoes, flies and cockroaches, spray insecticides every few days. Make sure you spray those dark corners, crevices, and cabinets. You’ll be amazed at the number of pests you’ll find dead in the morning. Just make sure that household members are not exposed to the insecticide as they are not the target.

Just spray selected rooms when people are not around.

6. Wear pants, pajamas, long sleeves, and socks. Mosquitoes are attracted to your breath as you exhale so they know how to reach you even in the dark. “I guess they love bare, plump skin, especially the kids who don’t shoo them away and let them suck as much blood as they want,” Dr. Ong believes.

7. Apply insect-repellants or use mosquito nets. If your kids are going hiking, camping or off to school, you can apply insect-repellants like Off-Lotion. Kids like to play outdoors and are prime targets of these

mosquitoes. You can wipe it on selected areas of the clothing like collars, sleeves and pants.

Avoid applying lotion on the eyes, mouth or hands.

8. Kill those mosquitoes.

When it comes to dengue, it’s either kill or be killed. Instruct everyone to kill as many mosquitoes and flies as they can. Once you’ve got them trapped in your bathroom, show no mercy. Mosquitoes belong to the forest, not in your home.

9. Involve the whole community. The best way to defeat dengue is if the whole community is aware of the threat. Ask your community leaders to schedule a clean-up day. The danger is in those empty houses and lots, which are excellent breeding places for mosquitoes.

Become a volunteer to monitor and clean up your surroundings.

10. Spread the word: Dengue fever is here. You’ll never know where dengue will strike next so better be prepared. Inform your neighborhood.

“We already know our enemy and all we have to do is follow what the experts have been telling us,” Dr. Garcia points out.

“If we will do it now, thousands of people will be saved from death.”

8 HEALTH EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 64 • THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2020

Portrait of HIV+ as an advocate

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

E

xperience is the best teacher, so goes a popular saying.

Robin Charles O. Ramos is an example. He can teach well because he has experienced it himself. A health advocate, he is a person living with human immunodeficiency virus or PLHIV. HIV is the virus that causes the disease. While the person remains healthy, he is said to be HIV-infected. But as the disease progresses and symptoms appear, he may develop the late stage of it called Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

Most of his friends know that he is a PLHIV as he has revealed his situation to them. “Of course, they are saddened. (After hearing my story), they tapped my shoulder and wished that I would surpass all the things that happened to me knowing that I have a positive outlook in life,” Ramos discloses.

He has nothing to hide anymore. In fact, his colleagues at the Department of Education have also known it already. “I don’t have anything to be ashamed of,” he says. “My honesty and being open has paved me for more blessings and favors as they offer prayers for me and so with other PLHIVs.” Ramos is a public senior high school teacher in Digos City. He teaches accountancy, business and management strands subjects.

He grew up being taken care of by his mother, who’s a single mom. “I’ve felt the love from my relatives (mostly female-figures),” he admits. “Just like they said, I was a mama’s boy. I used to play cooking materials, but I never missed playing basketball, too. I even played traditional Filipino games outdoors with my friends in our neighborhood. I had a mixed upbringing during my childhood days.”

Now 34, Ramos had his first sexual encounter with a man when he was still a teenager. After that, he had lots of trysts. More so when he was already in college. He met some of his sexual male partners in youth organization meetings and even online chat platforms.

He had heard about the dreaded disease. “We do practice safe sex in anal sex,” he says, “but with oral sex, we don’t use any

condoms.”

HIV is present in all body fluids of an infected person but is concentrated in blood, semen, and vaginal fluids, experts say.

Virtually, HIV is present in all body tissues and organs including the brain and spinal cord. It can be found in tears, saliva and breast milk although these are not considered significant routes of infection.

For instance, in kissing. To be infected, you need to imbibe 32 liters of an infected person’s saliva, according to the Health Action Information Network (HAIN). “That would be enough saliva to fill up the gasoline tank of a six-by-six truck. And the transfer should happen in one kissing session,” HAIN said.

Generally, HIV is transmitted in the following ways: · Sexual contact with an infected person, during which the mucous membrane lining of the mouth, vagina, penis, or rectum is exposed to contaminated body fluids. This usually happens when unprotected sex is practiced. · Injection or infusion of contaminated blood, as occurs with blood transfusions, the sharing of needles, or an accidental prick from an HIV-contaminated needle. · Transfer of the virus from an infected mother to a child before birth, during birth, or after birth through the mother’s milk.

“A single sexual encounter can be sufficient to transmit HIV,” wrote John Hubley, author of The AIDS Handbook. “Although the risk from an individual sexual act may be low, the more times a person has sex, the greater the likelihood that transmission will take place.”

A person will know he has the virus if he or she undergoes HIV test, which works by detecting antibodies produced by a person after exposure to the virus. “Most persons will develop a positive HIV test within two to eight weeks after exposure,” wrote Dr. Willie Ong and his wife, Dr. Liza Ong, in their book, Doctors’ Health Tips and Home Remedies. “Moreover, around 97% will develop these antibodies within 3 months of exposure.”

A few rare cases (less than 3%), however, will

take 6 months to become positive. “Because of this, experts recommend that a person gets an HIV test at 6 weeks and at 3 months after exposure,” Dr. Ongs wrote. “It is optional to take another test at 6 months after exposure.”

In 2011, he attended a program in Manila as he was a Posi+ve Youth Ambassador for a non-government organization.

Knowing that he was sexually active, his friends cajoled him to undergo HIV testing. He did – and all laboratory results were negative.

It wasn’t until in 2017 that he was finally diagnosed of being HIV+. He was admitted to the hospital because his stomach was aching continuously.

He felt uneasy and was dehydrated, too. “I was so thin at that time – from my normal weight of 58 kilograms, it dropped suddenly to 46 kilograms,” he says.

The doctor found something was wrong with him. So, he recommended the patient to undergo HIV testing. “After few hours of getting tested, the nurse – who happened to be a former colleague in youth governance – told me the result,” he says.

He accepted the result “without hesitation.”

After learning it, “I said to myself and pause for a while and talk to the Lord to heal me and use me to continue my advocacy in making a difference in my community in particular and the whole country in general,” he says.

After getting the result, he immediately told his mother, his friends and colleagues. Though it wasn’t easy, he has to come out. There is so much stigma and discrimination when it comes to HIV/AIDS and he wants to do something about it, he says.

“I was admired by my friends and colleagues for coming out as PLHIV,” he says now. “I need to be brave so others can see in me that it is not the end of life yet and that there is still hope.”

These days, being HIV+ is no longer a death sentence. Although there is still no vaccine or cure yet for HIV/AIDS, treatment with anti-retroviral medications (ARVs) can help stabilize the patient’s symptoms.

“Patients taking ARVs or a combination of three or more drugs can prevent or delay the lowering of their CD4 count,” Dr. Ongs wrote. “That is why it is important to get tested early so that treatment can be started soon.”

If a person’s CD4 count falls below 200, then there’s a higher risk of getting other infections.

“Your doctor will give additional medicines for these opportunistic infections,” Dr. Ongs wrote.

“Watch out for symptoms of fever, weight loss, breathing problems, rashes and mouth sores. Visit your doctor and dentist regularly.”

When asked how he manages his HIV, he replies: “Stay healthy, positive thoughts, adhere to the medicines to suppress the virus, and continue to serve the people and the Lord.”

Even before Ramos was tested positive, he was already an HIV/AIDS advocate. “It has been my plan to be an advocate to strengthen the program for HIV and AIDS in our community,” he says.

“Now, that I am part of the HIV+ community, it is my dream to organize the PLHIVs. I have committed and found myself into organizing all PLHIVs in my community right now to have a voice in ending stigma and discrimination,” he points out.

He is a teacher and he has experienced it. “What I have learned from my experiences was being open to my status and having a positive outlook in life

is the key to gain support from the community and slowly ending the stigma and discrimination that every PLHIV face. I said to myself that having this situation and status is a blessing, not a curse,” he says.

Organizations like what Ramos has organized are very important for PLHIV. “Internal peer support groups are very effective in encouraging every PLHIV to continue with their lives and to stay healthy,” he says. “These groups can help them accept the fact that they are PLHIV with no shame.”

There are four stages of HIV/AIDS. In stage 1, the person experiences “flu-like” symptoms and will test positive for HIV. In stage 2, the HIV+ doesn’t have any symptoms of the disease yet.

This is called “honeymoon period” and may last around 3 to 10 years.

As the immune system weakens, the HIV+ person experiences stage 3 where he or she develops symptoms such as fever, fatigue, night sweats and weight loss.

In stage 4, the disease takes a turn for the worse and the person develops so-called opportunistic infections from bacteria, viruses and fungi. Based

FPORTRAIT, P10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 64 • THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2020

EDGEDAVAO

COMPETITIVE EDGE

9

An immersive opportunity:

MCM launches Digital Learning Bootcamp 2020

M

alayan Colleges Mindanao, a Mapúa School announced its first Digital Learning Bootcamp 2020, inviting all SHS and College students in Mindanao to experience the first fully integrated online learning system in the region — MCM Digital — and get the opportunity to use MCM’s powerful online learning tools for FREE! This Digital Learning Bootcamp will be held on June 1 to 13, 2020 and is described as an immersive experience inside MCM’s Online Learning System, aiming to demonstrate and give participants an opportunity to immerse

themselves in the first fully integrated online learning system in Mindanao.

The participants will be given access to MCM’s online learning portal, “MCM Digital” where they can explore and get hands-on experience utilizing

MCM’s online learning tools such as Blackboard Learn, Blackboard Collaborate, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Panopto, Wiley Plus, and Cengage Learning to complete learning tasks designed for incoming Grade 11 and 1st Year College students.

These tasks will be delivered in either synchronous or asynchronous learning sessions to allow for participants to get a feel for the different modalities of remote learning provid-

ed by MCM. In order for participants to maximize the online learning experience, they will need a device such as a computer unit, laptop or a tablet; and internet connectivity of at least 1 Mbps for asynchronous sessions and at least 2 Mbps for synchronous sessions.

Familiarization with the online system and tools will initiate the program, after which, participants will be allowed to select short learning modules on General Mathe-

matics, Business, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Basic Education for incoming Grade 11 students; Basic Algebra, General Physics, Business and Management, and P ro g ra m m i n g and Coding for incoming college students. A full course on Math, Humanities, and Social Science will also be made available for demonstration during the bootcamp period.

To register for this activity and get a chance to win amazing prizes, interested participants

may proceed to this link: https:// bit.ly/MCMDIGITALBOOTCAMP and follow the subsequent instructions and link to the “MCM Digital” account that will be sent through the email address provided upon your registration.

For any additional inquiries about the MCM Digital Learning Bootcamp 2020, please feel free to email at admissions@mcm. edu.ph or contact +63918 918 1626, +63999 227 7493, or +63917 831 8048.

10 EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 64 • THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2020

SM Cares, Safeguard promote proper handwashing W e usually wash our hands fast - but did you know that there are proper steps of handwashing?

SM Cares and Safeguard team up for the #SafeHandsAtSM campaign to educate and encourage people to practice the five steps of proper handwashing - especially in this time of pandemic.

"As part of our safe malling commitment, handwashing is our first line of defense against illnesses, and is also crucial during a global health crisis. We very excited to partner with Procter & Gamble's Safeguard, the leading brand in health and personal care, to raise awareness on the importance of this matter,"

said SM Supermalls President Mr. Steven Tan. To ensure that all areas of your hands are properly washed, simply follow these steps: (1) wash palms; (2) back of hand; (3) in between fingers; (4) fingernails; (5) and thumbs, and keep scrubbing for at least 20 seconds. Afterward, rinse and dry your hands thoroughly, since good handwashing is our most effective shield and protection from all kinds of viruses.

"Safeguard, being 54 years in the country, has become much of a household name. From our beige bar soap from long ago to our hand sanitizers and liquid hand soap now, we have always committed ourselves

to serve the needs of the Filipino people, just like SM has. And in the same way, I believe that both have been ingrained so much in Filipino culture that it is only natural to do this partnership," said Procter & Gamble Vice President for Skin & Personal Care Ms. Shweta Sharma.

As part of the #SafeHandsAtSM campaign, Safeguard has made its liquid hand soap available in restrooms of all SM malls across the country to help the community fight the spread disease-causing germs. Information materials on the five steps of handwashing are also deployed in restrooms and high-traffic areas in SM to remind customers while in the mall.

With this, Safeguard and #SMDaresYOU to take on the #SafeHandsAtSM Challenge on TikTok from June 23 to 30. Just take a full body video of you properly washing your hands and dancing to your favorite tunes, tag your squad and use the official hashtag #SafeHandsAtSM, and be one of the 10 lucky winners who'll get exciting giveaways!

This partnership with Safeguard forms part of SM's programs to ensure Safe Malling as all SM malls continue to carry out strict safety and sanitation measures to assure the community that the malls are safe, clean, and compliant with health and sanitation protocols over and above government regulations.

Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio that the provision of the bill, which authorizes the anti-terrorism council (ATC) to order the arrest of a suspected terrorist, as well as his or her detention for up to 24 days, violates the Constitution.

“We beg to disagree because it is still the courts that will designate a person as a terrorist organization. In fact, you have to file a petition with the Court of Appeals not just with the regional trial court,” he said.

Though the President

was “inclined” to sign the bill after certifying it urgent, Roque said Duterte would not allow any constitutional infirmities present in the proposed law.

“I think barring constitutional infirmities, he is inclined to sign it but he wants to see the bill,” he added.

Currently, the Office of the Executive Secretary, particularly the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs, is still finalizing their inputs to be submitted to the President.

The Office of the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel

and the Department of Justice have already submitted their feedback.

“He (the President) has declared publicly that his legal office is looking into it and that he will look into it himself and he will take one to two days upon receipt of the recommendations from the Office of the Executive Secretary and will then decide whether to sign or not to sign,” Roque said.

The anti-terrorism bill seeks to beef up the provisions of the Human Security Act of 2007.

Under the measure,

the detention of suspected terrorists for up to 24 days sans a warrant of arrest will be permitted.

It also allows a 60-day surveillance with an allowable 30-day extension that can be conducted by the police or the military against the suspected terrorists.

Any person who will threaten to commit terrorism will suffer a penalty of 12 years. The same jail term will be meted against those who will propose any terroristic acts or incite others to commit terrorism. (PNA)

10 in Calinan, and Police Station 12 in Marilog-all of which have three cases. In 2020, the highest number of reported rape cases is in Police station 3 in Talomo with four cases.

In terms of crime volume there is a very slight

increase in the number of reported rape cases in 2019 in comparison to 2020 with 14 and 15 cases respectively.

“Basically, isa lang gusto nato makita sa mga bata across all ages from daycare to senior high school

– mahibalo sila when this is wrong and they can say this is wrong, and know kung asa sila mosulti, or mosumbong. And Kung mosumbong sila, matabangan sila,” Mayor Sara said.

“Education remains the most empowering tool we

can give to our children not just to help them succeed in life but to protect them from the perils of the world and so we thank DepEd Davao City Division for partnering with us in the creation of this child protection policy module,” she added.

residual maturity.

Net international reserves (NIR), which

refer to the difference between the BSP’s GIR and total short-term li-

abilities, also increased

by USD2.34 billion to USD93.27 billion as of

end-May 2020 from the end-April 2020 level of USD90.93 billion. (PR)

package to support them through this transition.”

“This was not an easy decision for the Aboitiz Group to make but one that had to be done as it has not been spared by the health and economic crisis,” the company said.

Aboitiz Group noted

that while it is still not clear on how long the COVID-19 pandemic will last, the company shares everybody’s hope that a vaccine will be developed soon.

“The Aboitiz Group is confident the Philippines can weather this crisis and the country will continue

with its economic growth,” it said.

“The Aboitiz Group remains committed to being an active player in the Philippine economy through its power, food, banking, infrastructure, land, and construction business units,” it added.

The Aboitiz Group owns and operates major firms Aboitiz Power Corp., Aboitiz Land, Aboitiz Infracapital, Pilmico Foods Corp., and Union Bank of the Philippines. The conglomerate holds its assets under holding firm Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc.

on the number of infections or a low CD4 count (a certain kind of white blood cell called T helper

cells) of less than 200, the person is given an AIDS diagnosis.

Like most diseases,

HIV can be prevented – as easy as ABC: abstain from sex; be faithful to your partner; use condoms, es-

pecially if you have multiple partners; don’t share needles; and be educated on HIV/AIDS

will be fine.

He said he will be in self-isolation for the next 14 days and repeat the test in five days.

In April, Djokovic said

he was against vaccination and doesn't like the idea of being required to get a coronavirus vaccine in order to return to playing, once a vaccine is devel-

oped. "Personally I am opposed to vaccination and I wouldn't want to be forced by someone to take a vaccine in order to be able to travel," Djokovic said,

according to a translation from Reuters. He repeated his statement days later but said he would keep an "open mind" on the subject.

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the country of destination before booking their ticket.

As of June, the Francisco Bangoy International Airport here caters to a limited number of domestic flights.

Meanwhile, Mayor Sara Z. Duterte said in a radio interview on Monday that three airline companies – Cebu Pacific, Cathay Pacific, and Silk Air – have canceled their international

flights here until the end of July.

“I don’t know why they have canceled their flights,” she said, adding that she has requested more flights for the Manila-Davao-Manila route as it is highly in demand.

“Our confirmed cases are somewhat manageable, so I ask them to add more flights for us,” Duterte said. (PNA)

they can access a show with mature material,” Jaro said.

Also those filtering the online content have different sets of culture from Filipinos.

“Sometimes the content is suitable for children abroad, but our Filipino values is different particularly violence. I noticed that there is a high tolerance for violence in western countries, also I noticed that the violence shown on cartoons is more violent and realistic as compared to before,” he said.

A father of three young children, Jaro said he is concerned with the content on the internet and advises parents to be vigilant and monitor their children when they are watching shows on their mobile devices.

To address the concerns, he said the first step would be to conduct dialogues with these platforms similar to what the board has been doing to its stakeholders to ensure

that Filipino values and culture are taken into consideration in their ratings.

“Arrangements can be made that would allow these streaming services to continue to grow but at the same time protecting the kids from content that they may not be ready for,” Jaro said.

He said the challenge would be educating the parents and their children how to best use these services: the ratings, the controls and even finding appropriate content.

“We sometimes forget that there are educational materials and traditional family movies that can be found here,” Jaro said.

The MTRCB vice-chair said though he believes the board has jurisdiction on these online content under existing laws with regards to age appropriateness ratings, he says future legislation enhancing or augmenting this jurisdiction is always welcome considering the continuing advancements in technology. (PIA/RG Alama)

scandal since there is no contract between his law firm and Wirecard appointing him as trustee for billions of dollars.

“How can a billion-euro company entrust me who has no experience in banking? I was just framed up, ginamit ang pangalan ko. I am a victim of identity theft,” he said.

The lawyer said he is open to any investigation into the financial contro-

versy and is even willing to go to Germany.

Tolentino was a former assistant secretary of the Department of Transportation. He was sacked by President Rodrigo Duterte for allegedly having dealings with the chief executive’s sister.

He later on apologized to Duterte for making statements that he said put the President in an embarrassing situation.

cording to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Will teams be permitted to sign replacement players?

Yes. The league has set its “transaction window,” in which teams will be permitted to sign replacement players, from June 23 at 12 p.m. ET until June 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET., per Charania. It will feature all 30 teams, not just the 22 that will be competing in Orlando. Once the period begins, teams will be able to sign eligible free agents, convert two-way players into full NBA contracts, and waive players during the given time frame.

Who are the best available free agents?

There are plenty of free agents available for teams to sign. Here’s a look at some: DeMarcus Cousins (intends to sit out season) Joe Johnson

Isiah Thomas Tyler Johnson Trey Burke Ryan Anderson Allen Crabbe Anthony Tolliver Ryan Broekhoff Gerald Green Pau Gasol Nene Iman Shumpert Jordan Bell J.R. Smith Jamal Crawford Lance Stephenson One thing that is interesting to consider is if key players opt out of Disney, the free agents who are currently available might have to play real postseason minutes for teams they weren’t even a part of before this.

Which players have opted out of playing in Orlando?

Davis Bertans, Washington Wizards Trevor Ariza, Portland Trail Blazers.

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11

NBA’s transaction window opens

T

he NBA and NBPA reportedly finalized terms on a revised CBA for the restart of the 2019-20 season on Tuesday, which means the wheels are now officially in motion for games to resume at the end of July at Disney World in Orlando.

Twenty-two of the league’s 30 teams will be in attendance, and they’ll each play eight regular-season games for seeding purposes before proceeding to the playoffs. With the return to action comes a lot of questions, which we will try to answer here.

How many players can teams bring to Orlando?

Teams are permitted to bring 17 total players to Orlando -- up to 15 players on standard contracts and two additional two-way players. Playoff rosters will also consist of 17 players: 13 active and four inactive.

Are players required to go to Orlando?

No. Between the coronavirus, concerns about the quarantine situation and the desire to continue fighting for social justice, there are all sorts of valid reasons for players to be wary about going to Orlando. Ahead of the departure date, teams are sending questionnaires to players and coaches to determine whether they are healthy enough to make the trip.

If a team decides a play-

er is high-risk from a health perspective, they may be excused from Orlando and will still receive their full salary. Any other player is free to opt-out of playing, and will not be in breach of their contract. However, if they voluntarily decide not to play, they will not be paid for those missed games.

What happens if a player tests positive for COVID-19?

Any player who tests positive will be required to quarantine for a minimum of seven days, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. According to multiple sources, any player who contracts the coronavirus or gets injured can be replaced, but the replaced player will not be eligible to return to the Orlando bubble.

The NBA protocol for a positive coronavirus test result is as follows, according to Charania: -Enter immediate isolation/separate location -“Isolation Housing” -Retest to confirm positive -Exit isolation after consecutive negative tests and return to activities However, the occurrence of a small or otherwise expected number of COVID-19 cases will not require a decision to suspend or cancel the resumption of the 2019-20 season, ac-

FNBA, P10

Thirdy Ravena will be taking his act to Japan.

Thirdy to go pro in Japan

T

hree-time UAAP MVP and former Ateneo Blue Eagle Thirdy Ravena is turning pro.

However, it’s not in the Philippines.

The high-flying Ravena, member of the Gilas Pilipinas squad, will play pro basketball in Japan for Senen NeoPhoenix in Japan’s B. League.

Japan Times’ Kaz Nagatsuka announced the news of Ravena’s signing

on Twitter.

Nagatsuka said in his tweet: “Sen-en NeoPhoenix has signed with Filipino phenom Thirdy Ravena.

The guard is the first-ever player to compete in the B. League using its Asian roster spot rule. The player’s got some flashy moves and this is good for the league.”

Curiously, Ravena opted out of the PBA draft in 2019. Ravena’s older brother Kiefer is currently playing for PBA squad NLEX Road Warriors.

There had been earlier reports Ravena was eyeing to play in Australia’s National Basketball League (NBL) aside from Japan’s B. League. The NBL is a more competitive pro league where future NBA top draft pick LaMelo Ball played last year with the

PBA players want to return to practice

P Novak Djokovic poses with Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov (left), Serbia’s Viktor Troicki and Croatia’s Borna Coric in Croatia. All have tested positive to COVID-19.AP

Djokovic gets backlash after testing positive with Covid-19

N

ovak Djokovic has tested positive for coronavirus after several players who participated in his charity tournament were also infected with the virus, the No. 1 ranked men's tennis player announced Tuesday.

Djokovic said months ago that he was opposed to a compulsory coronavirus vaccine as the virus crisis was unfolding.

In a statement, Djokovic said both he and his wife had tested positive for COVID-19, but their children's results came out negative. According to the Associated Press, he organized the Adria Tour exhi-

bition event in Serbia and Croatia, where social distancing measures weren't observed at the matches.

His decision to hold the matches drew ire because he brought players from different countries amid the pandemic.

"Everything we did in the past month, we did with a pure heart and sincere intentions," Djokovic said. "Our tournament meant to unite and share a message of solidarity and compassion throughout the region."

Adria Tour Tennis Dominic Thiem of Austria and runner-up Filip Krajinovic of Serbia pose with their trophies after

the final match along with Dusan Lajovic of Serbia, Viktor Troicki of Serbia, Grigor Dimitov of Bulgaria, Alexander Zverev of Germany, and Novak Djokovic of Serbia at the Adria Tour charity exhibition.

Djokovic said the tournament was done to raise funds for "people in need" and provide competitive tennis for up-and-coming tennis players from Southeastern Europe.

"We organized the tournament at the moment when the virus has weakened, believing that the conditions for hosting the Tour had been met," he said. "Unfortunately, this virus is still present, and

it is a new reality that we are still learning to cope and live with. I am hoping things will ease with time so we can all resume lives the way they were."

He is the fourth player who competed in the charity event to test positive.

Viktor Troicki, Grigor Dimitrov and Borna Coric also tested positive. The Adria Tour finale was canceled on Sunday after Dimitrov announced he had the virus.

"I am extremely sorry for each individual case of infection," Djokovic said. "I hope that it will not complicate anyone's health situation and that everyone

FDJOKOVIC, P10

Illawarra Hawks.

The son of former PBA player Bong Ravena was instrumental to the Blue Eagles’ 16-0 sweep to the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball title in 2019. He also made history as the first player to win three Finals MVP awards in the Final Four era of the UAAP. The younger Ravena has already seen international experience both with Gilas Pilipinas and Mighty Sports-Philippines.

hilippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Willie Marcial said the players are hoping to go back to practice despite the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Following a briefing he organized on Tuesday at the league’s office in Quezon City, Marcial said they expressed a united voice in returning to training.

In the briefing, he and Deputy Commissioner Eric Castro discussed to the players the new practice protocols.

The guidelines were approved at the PBA board level and now await the approval of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of

Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

In the first days of resumed practices, only four players, a trainer, and another team staff member will be allowed to get into game shape at a time.

They must quickly depart the training facility to give way to the next batch of players and staff members.

Only those who test negative for Covid-19 will be cleared to return to practice and everyone should be tested, the PBA Board said.

The IATF’s approval on the resumption of practices will factor in on the PBA’s decision to resume its postponed season or cancel it altogether. (PNA)

Jamaal Crawford (left) and Isiah Thomas lead the free agents market in the Covid-19 era.

12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.13 ISSUE 64 • THURSDAY, JUNE 25, 2020

NEXT UP? Fitness gyms in Davao City like Arcadia Fitness Gym (file photo) will be allowed to operate only when Davao City will be placed under MGCQ.

Davao City fitness gym owners hope to re-open soon

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO t has been more than three months since fitness gyms around the city closed their facilities at the start of the coronavirus outbreak.

I

Fitness gym operators are hoping Davao City's quarantine status will improve to Moderate General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) phase for the city government to lift the shutdown.

"We're suffering from the shutdown. No income and we're paying rent and loans," Jimmy Javier, operator of Beefit Gym and consultant at Arcadia Fitness Gym, told this writer in an online interview.

Arcadia Fitness Gym suspended operations in compliance with the city government's safety protocols last March 19 while Beefit Gym, which has two branches, closed down a day earlier on March 18.

Employees of fitness gyms were given food packs and a sack of rice by the city government amidst the health crisis.

Javier was told there will

be a second round of assistance.

Now feeling the crunch of the long shutdown, Javier said he hopes the city will improve on its status so they can re-open.

"Para sa akin dapat ma open na ang mga Gyms kasi this will help also para people can exercise already marami kc sanay sa gym because of the equipments plus para din ma boost ang immune system since nag lockdown people are not doing anything kaya dami ng gain weight," Javier said.

Javier recommended the strict compliance to safety protocols.

"Basta pag na allow ma open ang mga gyms kailangan talaga follow social distancing, wearing of face mask and face shield, constant washing of hands, bringing of tow-

els and regular disinfection of equipments being used from time to time," he said.

Fitness gyms, cinemas, computer shops, bars, and other business establishments in areas under a

modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) will be allowed to reopen, albeit at a reduced operating capacity, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said last June 10.

During a Palace briefing,

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said businesses under Category 4 are still prohibited to reopen under GCQ, but are allowed to resume in MGCQ areas at 50% operating capacity.

“So example po rito

ay iyong mga gyms and fitness studios and sports facilities,” Lopez said.

The Trade chief noted that under GCQ, sports activities are allowed if they are done outdoors, not indoors.