Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 221 | Wednesday, December 1, 2021

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VOL.14 ISSUE 221 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2021

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Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go announces his withdrawal from the 2022 presidential race on Tuesday. The senator said he did not want President Rodrigo Duterte to strain himself just to campaign for him. Handout

Sen. Bong Go withdraws from presidential race STORY ON PAGE 2

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VOL.14 ISSUE 221 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2021

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President Rodrigo Duterte presides over a meeting with the National Task Force against Coronavirus Disease-2019 (NTF COVID-19) and medical experts on the new COVID-19 variant at the Malacañang Palace on Monday. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Sen. Bong Go withdraws from presidential race

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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nd the inevitable happened.

Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go announced on Tuesday his withdrawal from the presidential race in the 2022 national elections.

Go, whose presidential bid is supported and endorsed by President Rodrigo Duterte, said the reason for his withdrawal is that he doesn’t want the President to be “caught in between” in next year’s elections.

Prior to his withdrawal, Senator Go was facing the prospect of going head on with the runningmate

of presidential daughter Mayor Inday Sara Duterte-Carpio—former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. “Ayaw ko rin pong lalong maipit si Pangulong Duterte. Higit pa po sa tatay ang pagmamahal ko sa kanya. Matanda na po siya at marami na siyang naibigay sa bayan kung kaya’t

ayaw ko nang dagdagan pa ang kanyang problema.

Nananatili akong tapat sa kanya at nangako akong sasamahan ko po siya habang buhay. Iyon po ang ipinangako ko sa kanya noon pa man,” Go said in a statement.

It can be recalled that in recent days, Go has hinted withdrawing his candidacy.

“In the past few days po, I realized that my heart and mind are contradicting my own actions. Talagang nagreresist po ang aking katawan, puso at isipan.

Tao lang po ako na nasa-

saktan at napapagod din. Sa ngayon po, iyon po ang mga rason ko. That is why I am withdrawing from the race,” he said.

In recent days, according to Go, he is increasingly thinking about what is best for the people, as well as for his family and President Duterte.

“Sa ngayon, handa po akong magsakripisyo alang-alang sa kapakanan ng ating bayan at ni Pangulong Duterte. Simpleng probinsyano lamang po ako na binigyan ng pagkakataong

or occurred at 8:56 a.m. some 4 kilometers northeast of Governor Generoso town. It had a depth of 30 kms.

Intensity 4, which could generate “moderately strong” shaking, was

reported in Maco and Pantukan in Davao de Oro. Koronadal City and Davao City experienced Intensity 3, which may be felt like a passing of a light truck, Phivolcs said.

Intensity 2 was re-

ported in Compostela and Nabunturan in Davao de Oro while Intensity 1 was logged in General Santos City.

Phivolcs said the quake would not cause damage and generate aftershocks.

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4.9-magnitude quake rattles Davao Oriental

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4.9-magnitude earthquake struck Davao Oriental early Tuesday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

The tectonic trem-

Let Bonifacio’s heroism be a guide in times of crisis: PRRD

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resident Rodrigo R. Duterte on Tuesday called on the public to use the heroism of Gat Andres Bonifacio as a “guiding post” in overcoming the nation’s challenges, including the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.

In his speech at the Pinaglabanan Shrine in San Juan City during Bonifacio’s 158th birth anniversary, Duterte emphasized the importance of remembering Bonifacio’s heroism as it continued to provide a sense of hope, determination, and optimism for today’s generation of Filipinos.

“The bravery and patriotism of Gat Andres Bonifacio and many of our forebears who fought against foreign dominators must serve as our guiding post in beating the odds that hinder our progress as a people and as a nation,” he said.

Duterte described the event as a constant reminder of the contributions and sacrifices of Bonifacio and other national heroes, in paving the way for liberty and independence.

He enjoined Filipinos to emulate Bonifacio by actively participating in nation-building efforts, especially the “challenging times when we have to secure our nation’s health, safety, and wellness.”

“In this light, I call on our kababayans to emulate Gat Andres Bonifacio’s strong sense of civic duty, courage, love of country in our daily lives even in the simplest ways,” he added.

Filipinos, he said, should give their very best for the benefit of the people and nation.

Meanwhile, Duterte congratulated San Juan

City for successfully hosting the celebration in the Pinaglabanan Shrine, which played an important role in the Katipunan’s quest for Philippine independence.

“What makes this year’s celebration of Bonifacio Day even more special are the newly restored El Deposito Underground Reservoir and the new diorama exhibit at the Museo ng Katipunan, which showcases the historical Battle of San Juan del Monte,” he said.

The President also thanked the National Historical Commission of the Philippines for undertaking the restoration and rehabilitation of the historical and cultural landmarks, noting that these “provide the new generation of Filipinos a glimpse of our long and colorful history and heritage.”

“Indeed, remembering historical events such as these (is) vital to enriching our understanding and appreciation for our nation’s culture,” he said.

For Duterte, revisiting and honoring the past will impart a stronger sense of nationhood to present and future generations of Filipinos.

In a separate statement, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar echoed Duterte’s call to be inspired by Bonifacio’s patriotism, bravery, and sense of camaraderie.

“May it also ignite in our hearts the collective will to respond to societal ills and challenges, such as poverty, insurgency, terrorism, corruption, illegal drugs, and the Covid-19 pandemic for our nation’s progress

FBONIFACIO’S, P6

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 221 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2021

NEWS

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Workers put back the tarpaulin that are used as barrier for the statue of Andres Bonifacio along Magallanes Street in Davao City after a simple ceremony was held to commemorate his 158th birth anniversary on Tuesday. Edge Davao

No such thing as ‘No Bakuna, No Bonus’: Sara P2-B infra projects underway to mitigate flooding in the city

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round P2-billion investments for various infrastructure projects have been poured in by the government to mitigate the flooding problem in La Verna area which is only one of 41 problem areas in Davao City for flooding.

These flood-mitigating projects funded are either ongoing or in the pipeline, said Engr. Ivan Cortez, the Head of the City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) during a Virtual Forum on Flooding on Wednesday, November 24, 2021.

For La Verna area, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) funded in 2021 the P100 million for the completion of the pumphouse; P50 million for the Construction of Retarding Basin; P105 million for the improvement of La Verna Creek; and, P3 million for the rehabilitation/improvement of the drainage system.

The DPWH proposed projects for 2022 in the same area include the P395 million worth of construction of drainage structure and P340 million construction of retarding basin. For 2023 are the P300 million construction for retarding

basin and P500 million improvement of the La Verna Creek.

Also proposed for funding by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is the worth the P507 million construction, land acquisition, and compensation for Sasa Creek Drainage Area.

Cortez also presented these along with other flood mitigating infrastructure plans of the City Engineers Office (CEO), DPWH, and JICA for the other 40 areas that have been geotagged by the Davao City Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) to constantly experience flooding caused by the swelling of Davao River, Matina River, Lasang River, overflow of highly silted canals or creeks. Some of these are identified as low elevated areas or areas on high elevation but are lower than their surrounding areas.

Other causes identified in the report are the lack of absorptive capacity, clogged waterways, old drainage systems, improper waste disposal.

Cortez said that the areas with flood incidents were already part of the

FP2-B INFRA, P6

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio denied reported that there is such a policy as “No Bakuna, No Bonus” implemented by the city government of Davao.

“Wala ta’y ingon ana nga policy sa Davao City Government nga “No Bakuna, No Bonus”,” Mayor Sara said.

However, the mayor said the city government of Davao will prioritize hiring fully vaccinated Job Orders and Contracts of Service on January 1, 2022.

“But ang sa atoa kay kadtong dili fully vaccinated, they will not be pri-

oritized for hiring sa January 1 particularly ang Job Orders and Contracts of Service,” the mayor said.

In September this year, Mayor Sara has issued Executive Order (E.O.) 45-A, which mandates the hiring of fully vaccinated individuals starting January 1, 2022.

E.O. 45-A is the new version of E.O. 45, also known as “An Order Mandating The Vaccination

Of All City Government of Davao Plantilla, Job Order, Contract of Service, and Volunteers For COVID-19 and Stipulating Sanctions For The Refusal of Such.”

Both EOs ordered the mandatory vaccination of all city government of Davao employees on or before November 30, 2021, and failure to do so will be meted with sanctions.

The EO also mandated that a plantilla personnel who refuses to undergo vaccination shall be held administratively for insubordination and shall

be penalized with a one month and one-day suspension to six months for the first offense; and dismissal from the service for the second offense, under Section 50 (d) of the 2017 Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service (2018 RACCS).

“Ang atoang admin, kaning permanent employees nato naa nay gi-release na legal opinion that they can be reprimanded under the city government of Davao kung dili sila magpabakuna. Pero sa atoang EO we

Elementary School (now Victor Bernal Integrated School with Kindergarten) in Barangay Mabuhay, and Gumitan Elementary School.

“Na-inspect na to sila sa Department of Education, pati sa region and pati sa atoang city level.

Ok na to sila, na-approve na to sila, but they will start January next year

pa. I requested the Assistant Regional Director of DepEd kung pwede i-postpone until the classes next January ang face to face classes kay gamay na lang man ang nabilin nga adlaw karong tuiga,” the mayor said.

Meanwhile, Jenielito Atillo, spokesperson of the Department of Education 11 (DepEd 11) is hopeful

that the said five schools in Davao City can start implementing the F2F classes.

On the other hand, there are a total of 18 schools in the Davao Region identified to pilot the holding of faceto-face classes.

These schools were selected by DepEd 11 for being in areas considered to be low-risk to Covid-19. By Maya M. Padillo

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5 public schools in Davao City to start F2F classes in January

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ayor Sara Duterte-Carpio confirmed that five public schools in Davao City will revert to face-to-face classes in January next year.

The schools recommended by the mayor for the face-to-face classes are Dalagdag National High School, G. Tajo National High School, Saloy National High School, Mabuhay

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VOL.14 ISSUE 221 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2021

On his withdrawal from the presidential race:

Ayaw rin talaga ng aking pamilya. Kaya naisip ko na siguro nga ay hindi ko pa panahon sa ngayon. Diyos lang ang nakakaalam kung kailan talaga ang tamang panahon ko.”

Sen. Bong Go

EDITORIAL Omicron amid the creeping complacency If you hear a country bragging about having finally defeated the COVID-19 pandemic, do not believe it. It is not true.

new cases in the country to less than 1,000 during the last few days.

In fact, right now, the entire world is scrambling to stop Omicron, the newest COVID-19 variant of concern. Omicron is identified as a highly infectious coronavirus strain.

In Davao City, allowing kids to enter malls is scary if we link it with the threat posed by Omicron.

The World Health Organization (WHO) officially stated that no country is out of the woods as far as the pandemic is concerned.

As of yesterday, several European nations have announced their first cases of the new variant.

Britain, Germany and Italy confirmed their first cases of the new strain, while Dutch authorities quarantined 61 passengers from South Africa who tested positive for COVID-19. It was in South Africa that the Omicron case was first detected.

Many more countries have closed their borders to travelers. The Philippine government, on the other hand, has reportedly started to build its defenses against the new variant. The threat is real and our government authorities should do something about the creeping complacency among the people brought about by easing of health restrictions due to the decreasing number of

EDGEDAVAO

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“Aside from imposing hightened alert levels and closing our country’s borders to arriving passengers from foreign countries with Omicron variant cases, the Phillipines must again quarantine arriving foreign travelers and returning OFWs.

The vaccination campaign must be ramped up until the targeted number of fully vaccinated Filipinos will reach 70 percent of the total population, the requirement for achieving herd immunity.

Once we detect new Omicron variant in our midst, the authorities should reimpose the face shield and face mask policies.in high risk areas.”

Let’s remind ourselves once more of the simple health protocols, that we have become familiar with – wash our hands with soap regularly, avoid crowded places, observe social distancing and stay at home.

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

NEILWIN JOSEPH L. BRAVO Managing Editor

MAYA M. PADILLO Senior Reporter

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG ATHENA JILLIAN BRAVO NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN MEGHANN STA. INES FERINA SANTOS Lifestyle

ANA MARIE G. SILPAO Layout

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR. Consultant Correspondent Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEÑA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO DAVAL SR.,TRIA • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY Columnists: ANTONIO V.“ADI” FIGUEROA • HENRYLITO D. TACIO •B.JOHN CARLO • MUJAHID NAVARRA ••FRED C. LUMBA • DENNIS R. GORECHO ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO •“GICO” G. S. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER GREGORIO G. DELIGERO VIDA MIA VALVERDE • HAROLD CAVITE M. PEREZ

OLIVIA D. VELASCO SOLANI D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONAJASPER OLIVIA D. VELASCO V. BACSAL General Manager PresidentAdvertising Specialist Finance General Manager / VP Operations JOCELYN S. PANES Director of Sales

The advent of Omicron variant came in the midst of a new wave of nfections dominated by Delta variant that has made Europe the epicenter anew of the pandemic.

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CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE RICHARD C. EBONA LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager Unit 6, Southbank Plaza Velez-YacapinProduct Sts. Development officer Cagayan de Oro City Address: No. 18 Purok 4B, Madelo Street, Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Tel: (088) 852-4894 Mobile number: +63 947 265 2969(smart); +63 916 955 8559(globe)

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 221 • WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2021

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

NATURAL RESOURCES DESTRUCTION “We will be investing in the people, even as we invest in the environment.” These were the words of then President Benigno S. Aquino III, in one of his State of the Nation Addresses.

The words were not taken lightly by those people who were victims of natural disasters like floods, landslides, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

For instance, the “flooding problems,” Aquino said, “are caused by the incessant and illegal cutting down of trees.”

More often than not, politicians use one possible solution to the problem – that of tree-planting – as a photo opportunity. “They plant trees, but they do not ensure that the trees will remain standing after they leave,” Aquino pointed out.

Where have all our forests gone?

American President Theodore Roosevelt said, “People without children would face a hopeless future; a country without trees is almost as helpless.”

In a span of 15 years – from 1990 to 2005 – the Philippines lost roughly a third of its forest cover, said Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri. The deforestation rate then was placed at 2% per year.

Today, the country has approxi-

mately four million hectares of forest resources.

A pair of the Philippine eagle needs at least 7,000 to 13,000 hectares of forest as nesting territory, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization.

“Deforestation is terrible,” deplored Dennis Salvador, executive director of the Philippine Eagle Foundation. “The Philippine eagle has become a critically endangered species because the loss of the forest has made it lose its natural habitat.”

“More than 400 plant and animal species in the Philippines are currently threatened with extinction, including the Philippine eagle and the tamaraw,” the Washington, D.C.-based Population Reference Bureau (PRB) reported.

Deforestation also causes soil erosion, triggering landslides. But erosion is more than just landslides. As a consequence, food production is being threatened by it.

“The loss of topsoil affects the ability to grow food in two ways,” wrote Lester R. Brown and Edward C. Wolf in their book, Soil Erosion: Quiet Crisis in the World Economy. “It reduces the inherent productivity of land, both through the loss

of nutrients and degradation of the physical structure. It also increases the costs of food production.”

Deforestation has also destroyed watersheds, which constitute about 75% of the country’s total land area of 30 million hectares. “We cannot talk of providing sustainable water to the people unless we protect the sources of the commodity – the watersheds,” said Elisea Gozun, former environment secretary.

A report from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said that 90% of the 99 watershed areas in the country are “hydrologically critical” due to their degraded physical condition.

Massive destruction of the once-productive forested watersheds by illegal loggers and uncontrolled land use from mining, overgrazing, agricultural expansion and industrial utilization have contributed to water depletion.

Compounding the water problem, particularly in the cities, is the surging population.

“The rapid urbanization of the Philippines, with more than 2 million (people) added to the urban population annually, is having a major impact on water

resources,” said an Asian Development Bank report.

Deforestation doesn’t happen only in the mountainous areas – as most people think – but also in the lowlands. Talk about mangrove forests. The country lost almost 90% of its mangroves, the vast majority since 1970.

Mangrove denudation has triggered low catch of fish, the secondary staple food of Filipinos – after rice. “An estimated 670 kilograms in fish catch is lost for every hectare of mangrove forest that is clear-cut,” PRB observed.

Equally important as mangroves are coral reefs, considered the “tropical rainforests of the seas.” The Philippines is a haven of corals as its waters are home to approximately 400 of 500 known species.

One square kilometer of healthy coral reef can generate about US$50,000 annually from fishing and tourism. “Philippine coral reefs contribute at least US$1.4 billion annually to the economy,” according to the report from the German Technical Cooperation agency.

The United Nations Environment Program reported that 97% of reefs in the Philippines

are under threat from destructive fishing techniques, including cyanide poisoning, dynamite fishing, over-fishing, or from deforestation and urbanization that result in harmful sediment spilling into the sea.

“Overall, destruction of our natural resources is continuing, despite efforts of some of our concerned citizens to protect and manage them,” deplored Dr. Angel C. Alcala, former environment secretary and a recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for public service.

“At the same time,” Alcala added, “the population of the country is increasing. It is obvious that this is a problem that cannot be ignored.”

The warnings are written on the wall. Filipinos must do something now to save what remains of the country’s natural resources and the environment that sustains life. The words of the late Aquino are still timely: “I am telling you now: We can dream about them, we are capable of achieving them, and we will achieve them. Isn’t it great to be a Filipino living in these times?”

Yes, our natural resources are worth saving for our future generation

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

DAVAO LAND ISSUE AS ‘U.S. HANGOVER’ One of the difficult challenges hounding the Commonwealth government after its inauguration on November 15, 1935 was the Davao problem, which is the contentious Japanese land leases devoted to the cultivation of hemp in Davao region.

The conundrum, described as an ‘American hangover,’ was blamed for the travails the officials of the new government faced; it was also described as a ‘political and economic controversy.’

Larry Tajiri, in his May 10, 1936 column ‘Village Vagaries,’ published in The Japanese American News of San Francisco, California, USA, portrayed the issue as a conflict between the Commonwealth and the foreigners, depicting Davao area as ‘swiftly becoming a new battleground to test the rights of a nation to deny landholding

privileges to aliens.’

For its part, the Japanese foreign office in Manila through Eiji Amau, the official spokesperson, reminded the Philippines that for years the Japanese had invested in Davao by sacrificing ‘several thousands of lives,’ benefitting both the natives and the Commonwealth.

He added the ‘vested interests and rights’ of Japanese residents in Davao, hopefully, would be recognized.

As a newly constituted nation, there was hesitancy on the part of the Philippine government to adopt hasty measures that would create complications; every decision made should adhere and cohere to the 1935 Constitution. To address the issue, President Manuel L. Quezon had to visit Davao and assess the actual developments on the ground.

The New York Times, in its

May 24, 1936 edition (‘JAPANESE FORGE AHEAD IN PHILIPPINES; The Question Raised by the Spread of Their Influence Is Brought to the Fore by the Land-Lease Issue’) penned: ‘The question of Japanese penetration, brought sharply to a head by President Quezon’s personal investigation of Japanese landholdings in the Province of Davao, now looms as the possibly deciding factor in the economic and political future of the Philippines.’

Tajiri, moreover, expounded: ‘The Davao question, long hanging fire, manifested the first break in [an] otherwise normal and amicable relations between [Japan] and the new Manila government. Intent on reaching a definite settlement of the issue, [Japanese] and Philippine officials were conferring at Davao… [and] inspected Japanese subleases which were

pronounced illegal by Philippine authorities. The Japanese… had offered to pay full costs oi the leases on the condition they would be permitted to remain on the land until the expiration of the holding dates.’

To Quezon’s credit, he made an effort that the problem would not turn toxic as to affect the country’s diplomatic initiatives during its infancy; he called the problem ‘not serious.’

In his June 23, 1936 speech before the National Assembly, he discussed the Davao matter as follows: ‘Much has been printed… regarding the ownership of large tracts of land by Japanese subjects in Davao. There is an impression that Davao is actually owned by the Japanese. Such is not the case... It is true that Japanese investments in Davao are considerable, and that there are doubts expressed as to the legal-

ity of some of the transactions entered into between Filipinos and Japanese… In these cases, the Government will act in accordance with law and equity…

There is nothing in the so-called Davao problem that should cause serious concern.’

Grant K. Goodman, in ‘Davao: A Case Study in Japanese-Philippine Relations’ (1967), wrote: ‘Unfortunately, the questions raised by the Davao land problem were not capable of simple solutions. For example, no one was really sure that the Japanese arrangements for working the land in Mindanao were in fact illegal. Th e Japanese had employed the best legal talent available from the beginning of their settlement in the Philippines in order to try to avoid exactly the kind of situation with which they were now confronted.’

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EDGEDAVAO

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magsilbi sa taumbayan.

Hindi ko inambisyon na maging presidente. Puro serbisyo lang po ako. Dahil ang bisyo ko po ay magserbisyo. Hindi rin po ako pulitiko. Hindi rin po ako nanggaling sa malaki o kilalang pamilya. Hindi ako nasanay sa madumi at mainit na klase nang pulitika. Marahil po’y hanggang dito lang po muna ako sa ngayon,” he said.

Go said his family doesn’t want him to run either.

“Ayaw rin talaga ng aking pamilya. Kaya naisip ko na siguro nga ay hindi ko pa panahon sa ngayon.

Diyos lang ang nakakaalam kung kailan talaga ang tamang panahon ko,” he said.

Go said for now he is ready to sacrifice for the sake of the people and President Duterte.

Go thanked his supporters who have relentlessly trusted him.

“Lubos ang aking pasasalamat sa lahat ng supporters na walang tigil na nagtitiwala sa akin at kay Pangulong Duterte. Kaya gusto kong magpakatotoo sa inyong lahat at ayaw ko nang patagalin pa ang bigat ng nararamdaman ko. Alam naman ng lahat na naging kandidato na po

ako sa pagka-Bise Presidente sa loob ng mahigit isang buwan, 40 days to be exact. Subalit, dahil sa mga pangyayaring hindi inaasahan, kailangan ko pong magpaubaya,” he said.

“Alam niyo, alam ng lahat yung aking hangaring makapagserbisyo sa ating kapwa Pilipino. Hindi na po kailangang itanong yan dahil talagang gusto ko, gusto kong makapagserbisyo sa kapwa Pilipino.

Gusto kong tumulong na maging maginhawa po ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino at walang magutom. Many times in our life, we are called upon to serve others but destiny has a way of turning things around.

Just like the great Andres Bonifacio — the President who never was,” he added.

In September this year, Go was officially nominated as the 2022 election standard-bearer of a PDP-Laban faction backed

by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Go filed his candidacy as vice president but later on withdrew his CoC and filed for president under the Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS) party due to the unresolved row between the two factions of the ruling PDP-Laban party.

also allowed exemption sa vaccination provided isa ka didto na nasulod sa

DOH guidelines na dili puwede bakunahan,” Mayor Sara said.

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initial study conducted by JICA. “We have a present engagement with JICA right now. They are focusing on the Davao River, but the initial study and the master planning on flood control and drainage project for JICA Involve the three main rivers, Davao River, Matina River, and Talomo River,” Cortez said.

According to the report presented in the Forum, the swelling of the Davao River caused flood incidents to 15 out of 41 identified flood incident areas, which can be clustered based on proximity of incidents: Jade ValleyWaan-El Rio; Maa-Barangay 10-Barangay 8-A; and Matina Crossing- Barangay 76-A- Barangay 5-A- Barangay 2-A. For Jade Valley-Waan-El Rio, Cortez reported that the DPWH has three ongoing projects namely construction of concrete revetment at Davao River, Davao Bridge Upstream Section and construction of drainage structures, CEO also proposed the construction of a flood wall, drainage

system, and open canal, the JICA study proposed three retarding ponds to be located in Barangay Tigatto, Barangay Waan and El Rio, Barangay 19-B; they also propose river widening and cut-off channels.

For Maa-Barangay 10-Barangay 8-A area, there is an ongoing DPWH construction of flood mitigation structure and construction of revetment; JICA also proposed cut-off channel, retarding pond, river widening; and CEO also proposed a flood wall.

For Matina CrossingBarangay 76-A- Barangay 5-A- Barangay 2-A, the DPWH has an ongoing revetment along Davao River, construction of drainage system at Kabacan, Ecoland and it proposed additional construction of revetment and construction of Esplanade in 2022; the JICA study also proposed for river widening, while CEO proposed the construction of Drainage system at Along Alley Near Soco-Agro Compound Barangay 76-A. Also, the report showed that a total of 4,900 were

and development. May this desire propel our nation towards justice, prosperity, a comfortable life for all Filipinos, and our recovery as one nation,” he added.

Unlike other national heroes, Bonifacio is remembered on his birthday,

Nov. 30, 1863, rather than the date of his death, May 10, 1897, as he was executed by fellow Filipinos.

Proclamation 1107, signed by Duterte on February 26, declares Bonifacio Day a regular holiday.

(PNA)

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affected by flooding incidents in Maa, Barangay 10, Barangay 8-A areas, while 4,933 families were affected in the Matina Crossing, Barangay 76-A, Barangay 5-A, Barangay 2-A areas.

To avoid future flood incidents affecting number of families, Cortez highlighted seven (7) recommended actions including the geotagging of entire coverage of flood incidence, accurate risk mapping, finding alternative routes for drainage outfall, strictly following the contour maps by JICA for all the incoming drainage projects, and doing resurvey to correct defects; restore natural waterways; regulate earth-filling activities; pursue reopening of blocked drainage even if it requires land acquisition; and, implement the recommended JICA flood control projects by DPWH and CEO. He underscored that that city has areas with low elevation at 0-200 meters above mean sea level (mamsl), such areas are considered as the floodplains. Due to geo- physical characteristics of the plains, there will always be areas that will experience flooding due to a combination of precipitation (rains and storm) and high tide for low lying areas and disproportionate draining for elevated areas which are low compared to its surrounding areas.

“The situation will get worse if the absorptive capacities of our plains are

continually diminished, wetlands are earth-filled, the highlands are stripped of its forest, and when there is a complete disregard of the usual role of the plains to host vast and massive quantity of water during precipitation,” Cortez said.

Cortez advised Dabawenyos to always check the elevation and contour maps and to conduct due diligence when buying investing and building properties within the city.

CPDO Assistant Department Head Roy Ryan Rigor in his talk highlighted the current policies related to flood-control, land use prohibition, and the existing provisions in Floodway Mitigation Sub-Zones under the Davao City Zoning Ordinance 2013-2022. He said that in the proposed City Land Use Plan 20222028, a High Risk to Flood Overlay Zone added in the Zoning Ordinance. This means that areas under the High Risk to Flood Overlay Zone are subject to different set of regulations related to flooding.

City Councilor Diosdado Angelo Mahipus Jr., who was also one of the speakers during the Forum, discussed the proposed policies to improve drainage and water absorption quality of the plains, the salient and the prohibited acts of the proposed “Davao City Waterways, Ponding areas, and Wetlands Protection Ordinance,”.

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A Philippine Airlines aircraft at the Davao International Airport in Davao City. The airline released updated guidelines for arriving international passengers amid the detection of the new Covid-19 variant. Edge Davao

DOF embarks on digitalization programs to boost services

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he Department of Finance (DOF) under Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has beefed up its digitalization initiatives, which include facilitating trade online and making the filing of tax exemptions more convenient to better serve the public and improve its oversight functions and policy-making processes.

Dominguez said these modernization initiatives include the enhancement of the DOF’s Tax Exemption System (TES), which was replaced by the web-based TESlite to make it easier and more convenient for importers to apply for tax and duty exemptions with the Department’s Revenue Office.

“These digitalization initiatives include heightened

security measures to make our systems safe from malware and possible cyber attacks,” he said.

Dominguez said the DOF has also put in place the GOCCs (Government-Owned and -Controlled Corporations) Liabilities and Monitoring System or GLaMS, which is an enhanced webbased system for the reporting and processing of data pertaining to the debts and

liabilities of state-run firms.

The GLaMS covers national government (NG)-guaranteed, onlending from NG, and non-NG guaranteed loans, as well as the loan status, and other forms of liabilities, contractual obligations, and other relevant information related to GOCC debts.

“It aims to streamline the GOCCs’ data reporting process through paperless and direct input from the GOCCs. This provides us (with) a comprehensive set of debt data and other information about the liabilities of GOCCs to better assist the DOF in its debt analysis and formulation of financial strategies for these state-run corporations,” he added.

Dominguez said that

with the DOF’s active engagement in assisting Congress in crafting proposed reforms in the tax and financial systems, the department has set up a Legislative Management Portal (LMP) to help its officials monitor the status of bills filed in the legislature.

The LMP contains data on the DOF’s proposed reforms that require congressional approval, as well as other bills that need the Department’s inputs; relevant documents; and schedules of committee hearings in the Senate and the House of Representatives for easy reference.

The DOF’s Privatization and Management Office (PMO) has also modernized its processes by, among others, enhancing its existing

kets nationwide to protect consumers from deceptive and unfair sales acts and practices.

Timbangan ng Bayan Centers will provide consumers with an effective means of checking the accuracy of the weight and the quantity of the goods that they are buying.

Under the bill, a Timbangan ng Bayan Center shall be established in public and private markets, including flea markets, where instruments for determining

weights and measures shall be open and accessible to anyone who wants to accurately weigh and measure the products they purchase.

The amount necessary for the initial implementation of the proposed law would be charged against the national tax allotment and other funds of the local government units (LGUs) concerned.

In her sponsorship speech, Bulacan Rep. Lorna Silverio, author of the bill, said the proposed Timban-

gan ng Bayan centers would enhance transparency for consumers and accountability of unscrupulous traders.

The bill provides that the safekeeping and maintenance of said instruments shall be under the control and supervision of the market supervisors.

The market supervisors shall keep a record of every product found to be underweight or substandard and identify the erring establishment and its owner or manager. (PNA)

‘Timbangan ng Bayan’ bill gets final House nod

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imbangan ng Bayan centers would soon be established in all public and private markets nationwide as a measure proposing such has been overwhelmingly approved on third and final reading at the House of Representatives.

During Monday’s plenary session, the chamber approved with 175 affirmative votes House Bill 3255, which provides for the establishment of a Timbangan ng Bayan Center in all mar-

Asset Register Information System (ARIS) to include the upcoming integration of additional information for legal cases tied to specific assets, and verification documents to check the accuracy of the

asset details in the registry.

A data analytics reporting tool was also adopted by the PMO to extract the relevant data from the ARIS and present them in an easy-toread executive dashboard.

Smart: More fraudulent domains blocked in fight vs. SMS scam

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mart Communications on Monday said it blocked over 200 domains linked to SMS scams or smishing and prevented some 16,000 cybercrime attempts since Nov. 24.

The PLDT Group’s mobile arm earlier said it was not enough to block just the numbers so they have been identifying and blocking IP addresses.

In a statement, Smart said it blocked 200 more illegally operating domains, which brought the total to over 400.

In line with Smart’s assumption, the National Privacy Commission earlier said a global organized syndicate may be behind the proliferation of SMS scams.

The “complex” scheme likely has ties with operators overseas, both Smart and rival Globe Telecom have said.

“The SMS are being sent by syndicate members operating locally. Once customers tap on the WhatsApp

link, they are brought to a chat room where fraudsters based in another country engage them in real-time,” PLDT and Smart’s Cyber Security Operations Group Chief Information Security Officer Angel Redoble explained.

The company advised subscribers to be cautious and to refrain from engaging in job offers that they did not apply for.

“The bottom line is, they are going to steal your money. And we have proven that,” Redoble said.

Smart said telcos, regulators, banks and e-commerce firms are coming up with a “unified strategy” in the fight against SMS scam.

The National Telecommunications Commission earlier urged telcos to send an SMS blast to warn mobile phone users of the scam.

The NPC, meanwhile earlier said there should be fewer SMS spam as the telcos intensified efforts against the crime.

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A porter delivers imported onions in an establishment that sells commercial rice, cooking oil and onions along Sta. Ana Avenue in Davao City. Edge Davao

November inflation likely within 3.3 to 4.1 pct: BSP Thailand-based logistics firm targets ‘thousands of jobs’ for Pinoys in 2022

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s the Philippine e-commerce sector continues its strong growth amid the COVID-19 pandemic, a Thailand-based logistics company is eyeing to generate thousands of new jobs in the country in the coming year alone.

Flash Express, a courier and logistics service company in Thailand and Malaysia on Monday said it’s looking at hiring more Filipinos as it expects to see strong business in the country.

At the company’s grand launch, company spokesperson and head of legal & compliance Sherry Lou Bernabe said, they “have 3,000 employees today.”

“By the end of the year, we will have 10,000 more.

And by next year, hopefully, if the business will grow... it will double, it will triple.”

Flash Express Philippines general manager John de Guzman-Tarampi also presented the company’s services and plans in the country, as they intend to further build on their current 138 hubs and outlets across the country.

“Flash Express is definitely ready to serve the

Filipinos after months of strategic preparations. In just three months, we were able to make our services available to Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. In fact, we are already in our next stage plan of offering more of our e-commerce and logistics businesses,” Tarampi said.

“Now that we are done establishing our express services, we are gearing toward making Flash Home available and operational to complement our express services.”

The company, which started its Philippine operations in August, aims to more than double its footprint to 300 in near term.

Flash Express Philippines shareholder representative Tony Luo said “the Philippines is a very promising and competitive country in the e-commerce market.”

“And actually we started the market research two years ago. Based on our research and compared to common industry practice in Thailand and Malaysia, we found that the Filipino is the better logistic service in the e-commerce market,” he said.

I

nflation for the month of November likely settled within the 3.3 to 4.1 percent range, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Monday.

The projected inflation for the month is at 3.7 percent, the central bank said in a statement.

Higher electricity and LPG prices along with the up-

tick in the prices of meat, fish, fruits and vegetables are the primary sources of inflationary pressures for the month, the BSP said.

These could be offset

partly by rollbacks in domestic petroleum prices and the peso’s appreciation, it added.

“Moving forward, the BSP will continue to monitor emerging price developments to help achieve its primary mandate of price stability that is conducive to balanced and sustainable growth of the economy,” the

BSP said.

Inflation eased to a 3-month low of 4.6 percent in October despite the uptick in prices of petroleum products.

The BSP kept the benchmark borrowing rate at 2 percent saying that the uptick in inflation in the previous months was “transitory.”

testing and quarantine protocols for all inbound international travelers in all ports of entry shall comply with the testing and quarantine protocols for “Yellow” list countries” except for countries under the “red” list • Travelers from Hong Kong shall comply with protocols for “Yellow” list Overseas Filipinos/ OFWs/Eligible foreigners arriving from Green and Yellow countries: • For fully vaccinated travelers with a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior departure: - Facility based quarantine until release of negative results - 3rd day swabbing

- Self-monitoring until 14th day from arrival • Without a negative RTPCR test: - Facility based quarantine until release of negative results - 5th day swabbing - Home quarantine until the 10th day from arrival • For travelers who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated: - Facility based quarantine until release of negative results - 7th day swabbing - Home quarantine until the 14th day from arrival The expanded list of red countries now includes:

• South Africa • Botswana • Namibia • Zimbabwe • Lesotho • Eswatini and Mozambique • Austria • Czech Republic • Hungary • The Netherlands • Switzerland • Belgium • Italy “Inbound international travel shall not be allowed for all persons, regardless of vaccination status, coming from or who have been to Red List countries/regions within the last 14 days prior to arrival to any port of the Philippines,” PAL said.

PAL releases updated arrival protocols amid the detection of Omicron variant

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hilippine Airlines released updated guidelines for arriving international passengers in compliance with the expansion of “Red” list countries by the country’s coronavirus task force.

Effective Nov. 28, PAL said passengers should abide by the following: Arrival protocols for GREEN and YELLOW countries or regions: •Those in the “Green” list will now be subjected to the same quarantine and testing protocols that apply to arrivals from countries in the “Yellow” list classification • According to the IATF, all arriving passengers the

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EVENT

The Seda Abreeza team gives a celebratory toast during the hotel’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

SEDA ABREEZA SHARES MESSAGE OF HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

FOR ALMOST two years, the hospitality business around the world has seen some extraordinary challenges.

But with hearts of gold, many of Durianburg’s hotels kept their doors open and welcomed the challenges with a smile.

Now with the city seeing a much lower alert level thanks to Dabawenyos heeding the call to vaccinate, we can now all see the bright light at the end of the tunnel.

It is that symbolic light of hope dancing like like stars twinkling in the night sky that the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Seda Abreeza Hotel embraced last November 19. Glasses clinked and loud cheers filled the air as we catches up with friends whom we have not seen for so long. This was indeed a turnaround from last year’s more muted holiday celebrations adding more joy and meaning for everyone at the event.

In his speech, Seda Abreeza Area General Manager Ken-

nedy Kapulong expressed his Misto’s signature Top Blade Roast Beef is back and is just one of the many Misto signature gratefulness, saying “[And] no dishes featured for the Christmas and New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffets. matter how dark those days are, we would always find those days, are things that people most challenging days, thriving little sparks of joys, of happishould be thankful for. was a possibility, and so bouncness, of warmth, of togetherKapulong also shared that ing back in the new normal ness. We find happiness and Seda’s management is also would not be impossible. This peace amidst the uncertainties thankful that the hotel has hope is shared by the hotel that surround us. It’s because survived the trial of COVID-19. management and staff and their we are always grateful even in While others have succumbed loyal clients, as well as their the simplest of things. to losses, the hotel remained families.

Kennedy also shared all afloat. In the most trying of Before ending his speech, the things that he is personally days in the past year, Seda was Kapulong also thanked the thankful for during the long able to continue serving guests. team, clients, and the hotel’s lockdowns, including learnOwing to the success of its Safe partners for their support; and ing new skills in the kitchen, at Seda campaign, the hotel encouraged everyone to share enjoying meals delivered to his remains to be the top choice of their blessings to others. He also doorstep, and being vaccinated. individuals, private groups, and announced Seda’s unwavering He emphasized that having ineven government offices. support to Smile Train with ner strength and peace of mind, Certainly, the event has Seda’s charity drive to help kids which are hard to come by these sparked hope that even in the with cleft lips.

Seda Area General Manager Kennedy Kapulong shares his Christmas message.

Christmas offers and treats In celebration of Christmas this year and with its continued efforts to bring smiles to people in the Yuletide Season, Seda Abreeza is offering exciting promos to everyone. Available are Christmas Hampers and Grazing Boxes featuring baked treats from Seda’s award-winning culinary team. You can also go on a staycation while helping our national bird. room stays at Seda Abreeza are now at Php 4,800 with complimentary Tote Bag in partnership with the Philippine Eagle Foundation.

Diners who miss Seda’s culinary treats can book their Christmas dinner at Misto’s Christmas Dinner Buffet Special on December 24 for only Php 1,880 net, there is also a Special Christmas Buffet Breakfast on December 25 for only Php 980 net and a New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet on December 31 for only Php 1,880 net followed by the Cocktail Countdown to welcome the New Year.

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SPORTS

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Jordan Clarkson scores 22 on 7 of 15 shooting, including 6 for 10 from beyond the arc. PHOTO: AP

Jazz rout Blazers to get a new win streak going Allen, Markkanen notch season high numbers as Cavs rip Mavs

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ALLAS — Jarrett Allen and Lauri Markkanen notched season highs with 28 and 24 points respectively, and the Cleveland Cavaliers dominated the Dallas Mavericks for a 11496 win on Monday night (Tuesday, Manila time) — their most lopsided win of the season.

Allen also had 14 rebounds, while Darius Garland added 18 points for the Cavaliers.

Their largest lead was 31 points midway through the fourth quarter, when Markkanen’s season-high fifth 3-pointer put Cleveland ahead, 104-73.

“We’re playing how we want to play,” said Allen, who was a first-round draft pick in 2017 after playing one season at Texas. “We’re playing with the aggressiveness, the assertiveness that we want to play with, and it’s just setting the tone.”

Luka Doncic posted his second triple-double of the season with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

Doncic made a season-high seven 3-pointers (7 of 11), while his teammates went 4 for 28 from behind the arc.

“Obviously, Jarrett Allen was the key to their win,” Doncic said. “Their whole team played great, but we’ve got to control our emotions.

We’ve got to be better on de-

fense.”

Cleveland outshot Dallas 56.3 percent to 43.8% with its best shooting game of the season. The Cavaliers outrebounded the Mavericks 4933 — 44-26 on the defensive glass — and outscored them in the paint 60-46.

It was Dallas’ lowest rebounding total this season.

Ricky Rubio, Cleveland’s 31-year-old, 6-foot-2 reserve point guard, had seven rebounds — more than any Dallas player other than Doncic.

Dorian Finney-Smith was the only other Mavericks starter in double figures with 14 points. Maxi Kleber matched a season high with 13 points off the bench for the Mavericks, who have lost five of their last six games.

Kristaps Porzingis had nine points, five rebounds and four blocks -– the latter all in the first half. Porzingis left midway through the second half with a right ankle sprain.

Dallas coach Jason Kidd said his team’s poor shooting affected their defense.

“When we don’t make shots, we tend to feel bad or feel sorry for ourselves,” Kidd said. “The opposing team is not going to wait for us to get back on defense.

Our transition defense has stunk here of late because we’re not making shots.”

S

ALT LAKE CITY — Donovan Mitchell says when the ball moves and the thinking stops, the Utah Jazz really shine.

“Aggressive decision making,” Mitchell said. “When you start to think too much, that’s when the turnovers and the mistakes come in.”

Mitchell scored 30 points, Rudy Gobert had 21 points and 16 rebounds, and the Jazz beat the Portland Trail Blazers, 129107, on Monday night (Tuesday, Manila time).

Jordan Clarkson added 22 points for Utah, which used quick passes and spacing to make 19 3-pointers and shot 53 percent from the field a game after making a season-high 20 3s. The Jazz matched their season high with 46 made field goals.

“Our guys were unselfish and got off the ball when they needed to. As you spread it out and make some shots, all of the sudden lanes to the basket

open up, too,” Utah coach Quin Snyder said.

Anfernee Simons scored a season-high 24 points and Jusuf Nurkic also had 24 as the Trail Blazers fell to 1-10 on the road this season.

“We’re such a different ball club on the road,” Portland coach Chauncy Billups said.

“We play with this casualness a lot of times, with no urgency. That’s dangerous. And at home, you can do that and a team can make a run and you got your crowd behind you and you can overcome a lot of times at home. On the road, you can’t do that.”

Utah’s Royce O’Neale missed his second straight game with a sprained ankle, but Joe Ingles had 14 points, four 3-pointers and six assists in his place. Clarkson

made six shots from beyond the arc.

Portland’s Norman Powell was out with a right thigh bruise. Simons had a sparkling offensive performance, but the Trail Blazers didn’t get much from their star Damian Lillard to counter Utah’s offensive prowess.

“I think everybody is still trying to get used to the style of play Chauncey wants us to play. We have to keep emphasizing that this is the way we need to play. We got to stick to it,” Simons said.

After making two of his first three shots, Lillard only made two more buckets on nine attempts. Lillard has gone 16 for 45 over his last three games.

Utah’s defensive plan centered on getting the ball out of Lillard’s hands to make someone other than him or CJ McCollum make shots. Quick hands and flashing into the passing lanes paid dividends for the Jazz, who have won six of eight.

rnest John “EJ” Obiena has assured that he will continue to represent the Philippines despite offers to switch allegiances.

The world number six pole vaulter confirmed late Monday night that there have been lucrative deals for him to consider naturalization, but maintained that “loyalty is a virtue”.

“Mr. [Jim] Lafferty and I always agreed loyalty matters. I therefore said ‘no’ several years ago. I love my country. I am proud to

compete for the flag of the Philippines. I get chills every time I hear our anthem played and to watch that flag rise high,” Obiena said in a statement.

“I will never abandon my nation because of money.

That’s not loyalty. At least not how I define it,” he added.

He said not even his row with the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) would prompt him to consider bolting out of the Philippine team.

“Even now, in this cur-

rent crisis, I have no desire to change nations. I see these statements on social media and active encouragement to switch allegiances.

But this is not who I am and why I do this. I want to win for Philippines and show the world what we can do. I want to win for us,” Obiena continued.

Despite the vow, the reigning Southeast Asian Games champion remains puzzled why PATAFA has vilified him. “[Loyalty] is the foun-

“We really just wanted to make his life a little harder.

We wanted to force (Lillard) to drive into me and make sure we don’t give up easy 3s and keep him off the free-throw line,” Gobert said.

Ingles made back-to-back 3-pointers to cap a 16-3 Utah run to start the second half.

Mitchell pushed the Jazz to a 21-point lead on a variety of floaters, layups and dunks. His 6-foot tear-drop in the lane made it 85-64 with 4:03 left in the third quarter, Utah’s ninth consecutive scoring possession.

“The ball started to go in on these on some of these shots I’ve been missing and that helps everything else fall into place,” Mitchell said.

But the Trail Blazers caught fire from deep as well and cut the lead to 94-84 entering the final period. The two teams combined for 15 of 24 from 3-point range, and the Jazz set a season high with 41 third-quarter points.

dation of my strong defense of these allegations. When one values loyalty, one cannot comprehend how my own ‘mother organization’ turned on me, never consulted with me, never asked me any questions, never gave me the benefit of the doubt. That’s not loyalty.

Again, at least not how I define it,” Obiena said.

Lafferty, Obiena’s longtime mentor, first broke out the offers in an interview with TV 5 reporter Gretchen Ho last week. (PNA)

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MEDIATION PSC Chairman Butch Ramirez with pole vaulter EJ Obiena.

PSC sets Dec. 15 deadline on PATAFA-EJ mediation accord T

he Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has set a deadline for both EJ Obiena and the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PAAs approved by the PSC board during its meeting on Monday, both PATAFA and Obiena have until Dec. 15 to agree to the mediation even as the tension between both sides has reached international sports communities.

“As an elder of the Philippine sports community, I am asking them to submit to mediation for their mutual benefit,” PSC chairman Butch Ramirez said.

He also believes “mediation is the best option for now so the parties can reconcile, open communication lines, and continue the work that needs to be done. The parties owe it to the government and the Filipino people to resolve the issues amicably.”

Ramirez added, “A failed mediation will be detrimental to both parties.”

Should a mediation take place, however, Obiena is expected to send at least one representative on his behalf.

Obiena on Sunday night

named long-time mentor Jim Lafferty as one of his spokesmen.

In a statement, Obiena lauded Lafferty, “who has taken up the cudgels for me again and defended me in public like I was his own blood.”

Obiena also tasked Atty.

Bobbet Bruce to be his other spokesman.

Bruce, according to Obiena, “has made himself available to me even at the unholiest hours in Manila even if only just to check up on me to make sure that I am alright, reminding me to continue training despite all the distractions and to continue fighting the good fight as this is not just for me but for the country.”

The assignment was made “to properly get my messaging across and officially address all pertinent questions with my current situation with my NSA (national sports association).”

Speedy resolution The Philippine Olympic Committee is also looking to finish its probe on the feud between PATAFA and Obiena as quickly as possible.

Philippine Rowing Association chief Pato Gregorio, the chairman of the POC’s ethics committee, said that his group, which is also composed of sailing’s Ernesto Echauz and bridge’s Gerry Alquiros, and the said agency’s legal team led by Atty.

Wharton Chan “have been tirelessly working to resolve the issue at the soonest possible time.”

“We are looking into this matter with utmost concern and collating pertinent information from both PATAFA and Mr. EJ Obiena to ensure due process,” he added.

While the POC looks to finish the investigation very soon, Gregorio clarified that it is taking the probe one step at a time.

“We do not want shortcuts here. What we want is to shed light on the matter and ensure that truth prevails,” he said. “We will surely update you once the decision has been made.” (PNA)