Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 263 | Thursday, January 27, 2022

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DIEHARD Sen. ‘Bato’ reaffirms loyalty to Dutertes STORY ON PAGE 2

Vehicles traverse in both southbound and northbound portions of Bolton Bridge along Quimpo Blvd., Davao City on Wednesday. The Department of Public Works and Highways 11 (DPWH 11) has reopened Bolton Bridge 1 to motorists on Tuesday afternoon six days following the reopening of Bolton Bridge 2. DPWH 11 reminds the public that only light vehicles weighing six tons and below are allowed to pass through the bridge. Edge Davao

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 263 • THURSDAY, JANUARY 27, 2022

DIEHARD

Children enjoy lunch amid fallen trees in Sitio Cawit in Poblacion 1, Dapa town in Siargao Island on Tuesday (25 January 2022). Donors Shakey’s Philippines, World Central Kitchen and Lamari have given free food to at least 700 residents of Dapa, all survivors of typhoon “Odette,”since Monday. MindaNews photo from ROEL N. CATOTO

January 21, 2022.

“It is but fitting for me to wish my friends and colleagues well in a gathering like that, more so when they themselves are honoring me on my birthday. However, rest

assured that I will live and die with the Dutertes,” Dela Rosa said in a text message.

Tagged as the “buzzer-beater”, Dela Rosa filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for president on October 8, 2021, the last day for filing of COCs. He also admitted that he learned as the Cusi-backed PDP-Laban’s standard-bearer only hours before the deadline.

Dela Rosa was also

among the people who were urging vice presidential aspirant Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio to run for President. He even expressed his willingness to withdrew his COC if the mayor decided to run for the highest position.

On November 13, 2021 Dela Rosa filed a withdrawal of his candidacy for President moments after Mayor Sara filed her CoC for VP.

“Ka Zandro” were found dead by soldiers after a 30-minute encounter in Sitio Guiling-Guiling, Barangay Kalabugao in Impasugong town, Bukidnon last January 21.

Orio said it took a while to establish the identity of the slain leader and check if he was not infected with COVID-19.

A photo released by the military showed a soldier wearing personnel protective equipment checking the remains of

Codaste in a body bag.

Orio said villagers informed the military of the presence of Codaste and 15 other NPA rebels in the forests of Sitio Guiling-Guiling.

He said troops from the Army’s 16th Infantry Battalion went to the village and clashed with the rebels around 5:30 a.m. on January 21.

“We had to fire several rounds of 81mm mortars to get to the rebels,” Orio said, adding that the rest of rebel group have fled,

leaving the bodies of Codaste and “Ka Zandro.”

Orio said the soldiers found an AK-47, a caliber .45 pistol, an anti-personnel mine and three backpacks with documents from the encounter site.

Brig. Gen. Oliver Veslino, acting commander of the 4th Infantry Division, said Codaste was newly appointed to lead the CPP-NPA Komisyon Mindanao after the death of its secretary, Menandro Villanueva alias “Bok” in

Mabini, Davao de Oro last January 5.

“Codaste was considered as the acting KOMMID chairman after the death of Jorge Madlos alias Ka Oris and Villanueva,” he said.

Veslino said Codaste, who hails from Barangay Fili, Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur, was elected to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines during its second plenum in 2016.

Codaste also served as

By MAYA M. PADILLO o stop the people from questioning whether he is still a supporter of the Dutertes, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa reiterated his loyalty and even vowed to live and die with the family of President Rodrigo Duterte.

This is after he was reported wishing Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III’s victory in the 2022 elections during his 60th birthday celebration on

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total of 1,226,505 Dabawenyos have already been fully vaccinated as of January 21, 2022, making Davao City hit 94.35 percent herd immunity or its target population protection.

The City Government of Davao’s target is to fully vaccinate 1,299,894 individuals, which is about 70 percent of the city’s population.

However, of the 1,226,505 individuals who have received two doses, Mayor Inday Sara Duterte said only 154,267 got their booster shots so far. This means that those who had booster shots only make up 11.87 percent of the target population protection.

The mayor, during her Special Hour program over 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on January 24, also bared that the city is currently at 98.51 percent of its

Sen. ‘Bato’ reaffirms loyalty to Dutertes

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Davao City hits 94.35 % target herd immunity target for first doses with 1,280,467 individuals catered to.

Of the 63,934 health care workers in the city who were given their first jabs, at least 58,705 received their second doses while 104,331 senior citizens are currently fully inoculated out of the 111,355 who got their first dose shots.

A total of 171,317 adults with comorbidities also completed their two doses of anti-COVID-19 vaccines out of the 188,462 who were administered with initial doses.

At least 3,091 children aged 12 to 17 years old with comorbidities also received two jabs, along with 624,418 essential workers, 122,655 indigents, 29,085 rest of the adult population, and 112,903 rest of the pediatric population.

consultant of the National Democratic Front during the peace talks with the government in Oslo, Norway.

After breaking off with the peace talks, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the arrest of Codaste and other NDF consultants.

Major Francisco Garello Jr., 4ID spokesperson, said Codaste faced a string of murder and homicide cases in Bayugan and Malaybalay cities. (Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews)

FDAVAO, P10

Ranking NPA leader killed in Bukidnon clash – military

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he military said a top rebel leader was killed in an encounter with Army soldiers in Bukidnon, less than a month after he reportedly assumed the leadership of the “Komisyon Mindanao” (KOMMID) of the Communist Party of the Philippines and New People’s Army.

Brig. Gen. Adonis Ariel Orio, commanding officer of the Army’s 402nd Infantry Brigade, said Pedro Codaste, 72, and a companion only known as

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NEWS

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A healthcare worker administers vaccine against Covid-19 to a senior citizen at People’s Park in this undated photo. The city government of Davao has announced that the city already hit 94.35 percent herd immunity as of January 21, 2022. Edge Davao

Employers urged to require RT-PCR test results to verify workers’ claim Ecoland terminal peddlers barred from selling again

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he management of the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) in Ecoland here has declined the requests of around 300 peddlers to allow them to sell again inside the bus terminal amid concerns raised regarding enforcement of physical distancing to avoid transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

DCOTT manager Aisa Usop told Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5) on Tuesday that that the peddlers from three vendor associations have not been allowed to sell their goods since the bus terminal reopened at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

She said the management feared the minimum public health standards (MPHS) might not be strictly followed when the peddlers would be allowed to roam around within the DCOTT. Usop added that most of them peddle their goods – including durian candies, bottled waters, snacks, and eyewear – outside the gated bus terminal.

“They do not even know how to follow social distancing there outside.

They would tail the pas-

sengers and force them to buy their goods. We’re already having problem with enforcing social distancing outside our premises,” she said.

Usop said the terminal has only nine security personnel that ensure order is kept and MPHS is complied with.

“If we allow them inside, social distancing must be strictly followed these days because we are not yet out of this pandemic. They may say, why can’t the security guards watch over them?

We have 300 plus peddlers as against nine security guards who report on shift,” she said.

Usop added that the security guards watch over the entry and exit of buses.

She noted that she received complaints from drivers and conductors before that many peddlers insisted on boarding the buses despite being prohibited by the management due to security concerns.

She said cases of pickpockets involving peddlers stealing mobile phones and wallets of the passengers were reported to her office in the past.

FECOLAND, P10

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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mployers are urged to require reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results to verify workers’ claim of having influenza-like illness (ILI) to be absent from work.

This is in line with some reports that some individuals are now using ILI as a reason to be absent from work.

ILI is a measured fever of more than or equal to 38 degrees Celsius with cough and with onset within the last 10 days.

“Para ma-verify nimo nga nagtug-an imong employee sa tinuod or

basin makit an nimo sa Facebook nga nag beach beach ra diay, so dili man na magpa RT-PCR test, with the behavior of the people, mahadlok man na magpa-RT-PCR test kay basin biya mag positive sila unya ga drama drama ra sila. Kana seguro ang pinaka the best way for the employer, is to require them with RT PCR test,”

said Dr. Michelle Schlosser, spokesperson of the Davao City Covid-19 Task Force on Wednesday.

Last year, the city government of Davao released Executive Order (EO) No. 18 Series of 2021 or “an order providing for heightened surveillance and response of Covid-19 cases in Davao City” due to the increasing cases of Covid-19.

Section 5 of the EO ordered the surveillance of ILI in offices and establishments such as business and commercial establishments (Business Process Outsourc-

ormer Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chairperson Emmanuel Piñol has vowed to give his all-out support to the agency’s newly-appointed chair Secretary Maria Belen Sunga-Acosta and even intimated with her how Mindanao will move forward under her leadership.

“It was a very cordial engagement and meeting of minds where I shared

with her what had been started under my twoyear stint as MinDA chairman,” Piñol said in a public post.

Piñol also promised that should he win in the coming Senatorial elections, Mindanao will get the support it needs to move forward.

Piñol was appointed as MinDA chair on August 5, 2019, but relinquished his post on October 5, 2021, as he took the chal-

lenge to run for Senator in the 2022 polls.

Meanwhile, Acosta was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte and took her oath of office on January 13, 2022.

Acosta, who will serve as the eighth MinDA chairperson promised to lead in coordinating, harmonizing, and integrating various socioeconomic development efforts for Mindanao with inter-regional, Mindanao-wide,

ing, banks, restaurants, etc.); public places (wet markets, supermarkets, stores, etc.); government offices; private offices and agencies ( recruitment agencies, etc.); closed facilities (Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Bahay Pagasa, home for the aged, orphanage, etc.); and other barangays and areas deemed high risk by the City Health Office (CHO).

“The establishment can impose a requirement para ma-verify kung tinuod ang ginaingon sa ilahang employees. If nag

and sub-regional impact.

She will also act as the Philippine Signing Minister leading the participation of Mindanao and Palawan as the country’s EAGA focus areas in the BIMP-EAGA sub-regional cooperation, given MinDA’s mandate as the permanent Philippine Coordinating Office for BIMP-EAGA (PCOBE) under RA 9996 or an act creating MinDA. By Maya M. Padillo

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Piñol advices Acosta on how Mindanao will move forward F

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

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The Department of Energy (DOE) reiterates and assures the public that there will be enough power supply during the May 9 elections. Edge Davao

Villar company bags two broadcast channels formerly held by ABS-CBN Enough power supply A The NTC, in a statement Tuesday night, confirmed that it granted a provisional authority to the Villar-owned company to install, operate, and maintain a digital television broadcasting system in Metro Manila using Channel 16.

“After the technical evaluation of AMBS re-

quest for a simulcast channel, Channel 2 (the paired analog channel in Mega Manila of digital channel 16) was temporarily assigned to AMBS,” the NTC said. “This temporary assignment is for simulcast purposes only, and only until the analog shut-off scheduled in 2023.”

The NTC order dated January 6 said Advanced Media will operate from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Villar’s Starmall in Mandaluyong City, and that the permit shall be used only for test broadcast purposes.

“The temporary permit does not confer any vested right or interest in the grantee thereof,” said the document signed

by NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba.

Another NTC order signed by Cordoba and deputy commissioners Edgardo Cabarios and Delilah Deles also gave Advanced Media provisional authority for a digital TV broadcasting system using yet another frequency previously held by ABSCBN. “It appearing that the

ness-friendly environment, encourages closer integration of economies, and provides a more stable and predictable rulesbased system of trade.

These all together establish the countries in RCEP as more attractive investment destinations,” the joint statement said.

The joint statement was signed by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Authority of Freeport Area of Bataan, Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority, Clark Development Corpora-

tion, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, John Hay Management Corporation, Poro Point Management Corporation, Regional Board of Investments-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council, Zamboanga City Special Economic Zone Authority, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines, Tuna Canners Association of the Philippines, and Canned Sar-

dines Association of the Philippines.

“In this respect, the Philippines’ immediate participation in RCEP is important as it will allow firms in the country, particularly those geared towards exports, to benefit from the lowering of trade barriers, and improved market access for goods and services in 14 export destinations,” they said.

The IPAs and business groups added that RCEP offers broader and cheaper sourcing of raw ma-

company owned by Manny Villar has taken over broadcast frequencies formerly held by ABS-CBN Corp., whose application to renew its broadcast franchise was rejected by a congressional committee in 2020.

Business news website Bilyonaryo.Ph said it has obtained documents showing the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) had granted a temporary permit to the Villar-owned Advanced Media Broadcasting System Inc. (AMBS) to do a test broadcast on analog Channel 2.

FVILLAR, P10

Investment promotion agencies call for RCEP concurrence in Senate

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he country’s investment promotion agencies (IPAs) and some business organizations have called for the immediate concurrence of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) by the Senate.

The IPAs and business groups said the Philippines cannot afford to delay or not participate in the RCEP, which is now the world’s largest free trade agreement (FTA).

“The RCEP Agreement promotes greater openness, creates a more busi-

FINVESTMENT, P10

for May polls: DOE

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he Department of Energy (DOE) has assured the public that there will be enough power supply during the May 9 elections.

In a press briefing Tuesday, DOE director Mario Marasigan said the outlook hinges on the start of the original commercial operation of GNPower Dinginin 2, which has a maximum capacity of 668 megawatts (MW).

“We can show you that there are no potential yellow alerts or red alerts for the entire year,” Marasigan said.

However, considering the forced outages in the past years, the red alert could happen in two consecutive weeks after the election, he added.

Marasigan said the DOE, along with the Energy Task Force Election, identified possible solutions if there will be delays on the commercial operation of GNPower Dinginin 2.

“We have to recognize that even if there will be delays in the commercial operation of GNPower Dinginin 2, by April, they will already start the test and commissioning, and

at least 400 megawatts will be available on the grid,” he said.

Marasigan said SMC Mariveles power plant is also expected to be online with a capacity of 150 MW. “Also another solution is we are seeing if we can optimize the Luzon-Visayas interconnection, up to 350 MW would still be available,” he added.

DOE Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said the Energy Task Force Election will be working and coordinating closely to ensure that there will be no power interruption on election day.

The task force is composed of DOE, National Electrification Administration, National Power Corporation, National Transmission Corporation, Philippine National Oil Company, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation, Philippine Electricity Market Corporation/ Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines, and Manila Electric Company. (PNA)

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ECONOMY 5

A farmer works on a rice field in Tugbo District, Davao City. The Philippine government data has indicated that the country missed the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) agriculture production target in 2021. Edge Davao

PH missed agri production target in 2021: gov’t data BSP chief eyes withintarget 2022 inflation

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onetary officials are optimistic of within-target inflation this year despite the higher-than-target print in 2021 as well as the number of upside risks that include supply-side pressures and higher global commodity prices.

In an Open Letter to the President dated January 18 and a copy of which was released to journalists on Tuesday, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Benjamin Diokno attributed the elevated inflation last year to constraints on key food items like pork as well as increasing oil and energy prices.

The average inflation last year stood at 4.5 percent.

“The continued and effective implementation of direct non-monetary interventions and policy reforms to alleviate supply constraints remains crucial in keeping the trajectory of inflation within the target band, particularly as risks to the inflation outlook appear to be slightly on the upside for 2022,” Diokno said.

However, he said these risks are expected

to be countered by the spread of new Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) variants, which could delay the further easing of remaining containment measures as well as dampen the outlook for global and domestic economic growth.

Diokno said that while monetary authorities expect inflation to continue to decelerate to within-target levels, “the inflation outlook, however, is subject to considerable level of uncertainty given developments relating to the Covid-19 pandemic, which could affect domestic and external economic conditions going forward.”

“Nevertheless, we would like to assure the President and the Filipino people that the BSP is closely monitoring developments and challenges brought about by the pandemic to ensure that the monetary policy stance remains consistent with its price and financial stability objectives,” he said.

The BSP issues an Open Letter to the President whenever inflation breaches the target band set by economic manag-

FBSP, P10

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he Philippine agricultural output posted a slight growth in the last quarter of 2021, but this was not enough to bring the full-year figure close enough to the 2% full-year target of the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Official data show that the value of production in agriculture grew by 0.6% in the fourth quarter, marking the first quarter of growth for the year — poultry grew by 2.7%, crops by 2.6%, and fisheries by 1.4%, while livestock fell by 9.7%.

Poultry growth was driven by chicken eggs which grew 12.7%, while chicken, duck, and duck egg production fell to negative territory.

Crops were mainly driven by the growth in corn up 28.6%, followed by cacao up 11.4%, coconut up 3.6%, tobacco up 3.4%, and eggplant up 3.0%. Declines were seen in the output of onion, abaca, potato, cabbage, coffee, tomato, banana, and mango.

In terms of fisheries, the biggest increases were seen in the output of blue crab (alimasag), tiger prawn (sugpo),

mudcrab (alimango), threadfin bream (bisugo) and grouper (lapu-lapu), among others.

The downtrend in livestock production was mainly due to the drop in hog production which fell by 12.6%, while increases were seen in production of cattle, carabao, goat, and dairy.

The fourth-quarter growth compares with the -2.6% in the third quarter, and -3.8% recorded in the same quarter of the previous year.

The value of production for the quarter stood at P560.39 billion, up 0.6% from the previous year.

The latest figures brought the full-year ag-

ricultural output at -1.7%, lower than the -1.2% the previous year and far from the 2% growth targeted by the DA. Typhoon Odette Agriculture Secretary William Dar attributed the decline to damages incurred due to the Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) which entered the country in December, leaving P13.8-billion worth of damages to the agriculture sector.

“We would have easily breached the 20-million ton level as Typhoon Odette damaged more than 130,000 metric tons of palay,” he said in a separate statement.

for 2021 amid the stronger resumption of economic activities in the last quarter.

In its Asean+3 Regional Economic Outlook (AREO) report released on Tuesday, AMRO now sees a 4.9-percent expansion for the domestic economy last year, up from 4.3 percent in the AREO 2021 Update released last October, while the 2022 figure is down to

6.2 percent from 6.7 percent.

Both forecasts are lower than the government’s 5 to 5.5 percent assumption for 2021 and the 7 to 9 percent assumption for 2022.

The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) is scheduled to announce the fourth quarter 2021 economic performance on January 27.

In a virtual briefing,

AMRO chief economist Dr. Hoe Ee Khor said consumption is expected to be the main driver of continued recovery of domestic growth, as measured by gross domestic product (GDP).

“This year, with the reopening of the economy, we expect the services sector and consumption to be the main driver of the economy,” he said.

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AMRO cuts 2022 growth forecast for PH amid movement restrictions

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he Asean Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) has slashed its growth projection for the Philippine economy for this year given the impact of the reimplementation of stricter movement restriction due to the Omicron variant of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

However, AMRO raised its growth forecast for the domestic economy

FAMRO, P10

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

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On reports that he is supporting Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson and Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III in the 2022 elections:

It is but fitting for me to wish my friends and colleagues well in a gathering like that, more so when they themselves are honoring me on my birthday. However, rest assured that I will live and die with the Dutertes.”

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa

EDITORIAL Hail the MDDA It used to be just a dream moniker, an elusive tag, and a sweet name concealing some sort of social imbalance and inferiority.

Metro Davao was once such a dream name.

It was like a son one will never have just because another son is more favored.

Times have changed. Metro Davao is here and it’s for real.

Kudos to legislators and senators who supported the recent approval of the Metropolitan Davao Development Authority (MDDA).

The MDDA law was authored by House Deputy Speaker and Davao City Representative Isidro Ungab of Davao City’s third legislative district.

As was envisioned, the creation of MDDA will pave the way for stronger coordination among Metro Davao’s component cities and mu-

EDGEDAVAO

Providing solutions to a seamless global village.

PHILIPPINE PRESS INSTITUTE

the national association of newspapers

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The law brings together to the MDDA the local governments of Davao City, Panabo City, Tagum City and Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte; Digos City in Davao del Sur; Mati City in Davao Oriental; and the municipalities of Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur, Carmen in Davao del Norte, Maco in Davao de Oro, and Malita in Davao Occidental.

The law also sets the following as areas of collaboration — urban development, sewerage and septage, solid waste management, public transport and traffic, and public safety and security.

That’s the essence of Metro Davao.

It’s not just a term that will make Davao ‘sosyal’ as people would jokingly refer to in the past. This will fuel stronger cooperation and lobbying force in the national government.

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

nicipalities in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of priority programs and projects. It puts the Davao LGUs under one umbrella and take development strides on cadence.

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance

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)

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VANTAGE POINTS

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

OMICRON UPDATE, SSS SICKNESS BENEFIT On November 26, 2021, the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) designated the variant B.1.1.529 a variant of concern (VOC), following advice from the WHO’s Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution. The variant was given the name Omicron.

Omicron is a highly divergent variant with a high number of mutations, including 26-32 mutations in the spike protein, some of which are associated with humoral immune escape potential and higher transmissibility. The Omicron variant comprises four lineages including B.1.1.529, BA.1, BA.2 and BA.3.

According to the United Nations health agency, the overall threat posed by Omicron largely depends on four key questions: (1) how transmissible the variant is; (2) how well vaccines and prior infection protect against infection, transmission, clinical disease and death; (3) how virulent the variant is compared to other variants; and (4) how populations understand these dynamics, perceive risk and follow control measures, including public health and social measures.

“Based on the currently

available evidence, the overall risk related to Omicron remains very high,” the WHO said in a statement. “Omicron has a significant growth advantage over Delta, leading to rapid spread in the community with higher levels of incidence than previously seen in this pandemic.”

Despite a lower risk of severe disease and death following infection than previous SARS-CoV-2 variants, the very high levels of transmission nevertheless have resulted in significant increases in hospitalization, “continue to pose overwhelming demands on health care systems in most countries, and may lead to significant morbidity, particularly in vulnerable populations.”

Now, some good news.

The Social Security System (SSS) recently announced that it provides sickness benefits to members who cannot work due to sickness or injury, including those who contracted COVID-19.

“The sickness benefit is a daily cash allowance paid for the number of days that a member cannot work due to sickness or injury,” explained SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Aurora C. Ignacio.

Under the program, a member must have paid at least three monthly contributions within the last 12 months prior to the semester of sickness or injury, may be confined either in a hospital or at home for at least four days, has used up all his current company sick leaves for the current year and has notified his employer regarding his sickness or injury.

“We are aware that many of our members are getting sick right now. Some of them even got infected by the current Omicron variant. We want to assure them that SSS is providing them with sickness benefits to augment their lost income,” Ignacio said.

Employed, self-employed, voluntary, and overseas Filipino worker (OFW) members could avail of the sickness benefit which is granted up to a maximum of 120 days in one calendar year to qualified members.

To get a clearer view, SSS provides this example: “Juan dela Cruz got sick for ten days this January 2022. The semester of his sickness will be from October 2021 to March 2022 while the last 12 months before the semester of his sickness will be from October 2020 to

September 2021. He should have paid at least three monthly contributions for this period to qualify for the sickness benefit.”

The press statement said that for those members who contracted COVID-19, they must provide a positive Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test.

The daily cash allowance is equivalent to 90% of the member’s average daily salary credit (ADSC).

“For example, if the total of a member’s six highest monthly salary credit (MSC) for the 12 months is P96,000, he will have an ADSC of P533.33, and 90% of his ADSC will be P480, which is his daily sickness allowance (DSA). Then, multiply the DSA or P480 by the approved number of days (example ten days), to get the member’s total sickness benefit which is P4,800.”

For humanitarian consideration, for contingencies starting March 2020, SSS extended the filing period for the sickness notifications and sickness benefit claims of members and employers.

“With the extension, SSS is giving its members 60 calendar days after the lifting of

the community quarantine to submit their Sickness Notification Forms of their home confinement to their employers.

Normally, SSS would give them five calendar days to submit the said form to their employers,” the statement said.

For employers, SSS is giving them 60 calendar days after the receipt of the notification form from the employee to submit this to the SSS. If the country is still in community quarantine on the last day of submission, the employer may still submit the said form within 60 days after the lifting of the community quarantine. Under normal circumstances, employers should submit this form to the SSS within five calendar days after receiving it from their employees.

For self-employed, voluntary, and Overseas Filipino Worker members, they can submit their Sickness Benefit Application Forms for their home confinement to SSS within 60 calendar days after the lifting of the community quarantine.

Effective July 2020, employers may file their Sickness Benefit Reimbursement Applications (SBRAs) using their My.SSS accounts.

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

WARTIME SAGA OF TWO CATHOLICS (1) A little-known historical fact is that Davao City, during the war, nearly became the graveyard of two Philippine presidents. Jose P. Laurel’s boat, while crossing Davao River on a boat with two Kempe-tai officers who acted as escorts, capsized. Fortunately, he was saved by the guards from being swallowed by the churning eddy near the smashed-up Bankerohan Bridge.

Gen. Manuel Roxas, meanwhile, was spared from execution by Lt. Col. Nobuhiko Jimbo, head of the Japanese military in Davao, who defied the order of Gen. Masaharu Homma, leader of the Japanese invasion in the Philippines, until its rescission.

To secure Roxas’ life from being executed by the Kempe-tai, the officer spir-ited him out of the Japanese concentration camp at Camp Leonor and hid him in

Daliao, Toril District, at the Furukawa Plantation.

But the ties that bind Gen. Roxas and Lt. Col. Jimbo have become more than just a stuff of wartime legends. Their friendship has ascended beyond respect to the point that when the memorial to the Philippine president’s death was held in Tokyo on April 25, 1948, Lt. Col. Jimbo and his wife were invited to the rites and were listed as among the deceased’s “relatives.”

The duo’s life story commenced after Gen. Roxas was captured in Malaybalay,’ while headed to a clandestine pickup point where a submarine would fetch him for Australia. Gen. Yoshihide Hayashi ordered Lt. Col. Jimbo to quiz Roxas in Malaybalay but the general refused to cooperate.

Later, on November 17, 1942, Gen. Roxas was brought

to a Jap-anese warplane for further interrogation before he was driven by car to Davao where he was incarcerated at the old Philippine Con-stabulary barracks. It was during this regular face-to-face contact that a bond of mutual admiration and thereafter friendship was established. This would thrive even more after both shared the same faith as Catholics.

But the Davao Kempe-tai under a certain Lt. Okura wanted also to take part in the interrogation and wanted the general put to death. Soon, an order from Gen. Hayashi ordering Gen. Roxas, the country’s prewar Senate president, was issued. In defiance, Lt. Col. Jimbo asked an underling to forge the signature of Gen. Homma in an order that supposedly stayed the general’s execution.

To secure Gen. Roxas from

the Kempe-tai, Lt. Col. Jimbo hid the Filipino general at the Furukawa Plantation in Daliao, Toril Dis-trict, where he was temporarily safe. In another account, he was brought to Piso, in Banaybanay, Davao Oriental, where the Japa-nese maintained a command for the suicide boats.

Gen. Takazi Wachi, Gen. Hayashi’s successor, later rescinded the execution or-der after it was found that it did not carry the imprimatur of Gen. Homma.

Lt. Col. Jimbo flew to Manila to contest the execution order but in his absence the Kempe-tai was given the chance to interrogate Gen. Roxas. Marcial Lichauco, in ‘Roxas: The Story of a Great Filipino and of the Political Era in Which he Lived’ (1952), wrote in detail this humbling incident: “While Jimbo was in Manila however, the dreaded Japanese

military police, or Kempei, in Davao decided to take a hand.

They seized Roxas and took him to their headquarters where he was locked up in a small cell.

There he was forced to sleep on the ce-ment floor without a mat, a blanket, or even a mosquito net. It was very clear that the Kempei operatives were first trying to break his spirit.

There followed harrowing experiences with the Kempei and, after the ordeal was over, Roxas had lost 30 pounds in weight.”

On November 22, 1942, Gen. Roxas was flown in a Japanese warplane to Manila accompanied by Lt. Col. Jimbo, and was taken directly to his residence at Taft Avenue. Under house arrest, efforts were still made to rescue and bring Roxas to the U.S. where Presi-dent Manuel L. Quezon was handling the Philippine affairs in ex-ile.

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COMPETITIVE EDGE

TIKTOK FAMOUS DANCE CREW DIFF FAM

CONDUCTS ODETTE RELIEF IN CEBU WITH AP PARTYLIST Diff Fam dance crew has proved that they are more than just TikTok famous as they embarked on the first of a series of community relief efforts distributing food packs and water to several areas in Cebu affected by typhoon Odette.

Despite picking up the pieces a month after typhoon Odette ravaged the country, residents of several areas in Cebu are still reeling from its aftermath. Yet the spirit of bayanihan can be strongly felt especially among the youth as many of them have banded together to help their community. One such group is the DIFF FAM dance crew from Cebu. DIFF FAM is the first dance crew to be verified on TikTok with 5.4 million followers. According to their founder and lead choreographer John Byron Padilla, Diff Fam which is short for “Do it for fun family,” has more than a hundred members composed mainly of teenage youth from the Municipality of Balamban and other nearby areas in the 3rd District of Cebu. “Dancing develops discipline and focus among our members,” says Byron who is proud to say that being part of Diff Fam keeps many youth away from vices and helps with their character formation.

Fresh from the success of their 10th year anniversary The Rythmn dance concert in early December, Diff Fam felt the need to do something different in light of the aftermath of typhoon Odette which severely affected their hometown of Balamban. Many houses were severely damaged and there is a general lack of food and water.

“Gusto namin makatulong sa kapwa namin PIlipino, para makabangon ang mga kababayan natin mula sa bagyo,” says Diff Fam dancer Clifford Pormento who adds that many of their members wanted to do an outreach activity.

Last Jan. 15, Diff Fam joined AP Partylist in continuation of their Typhoon Odette Relief efforts in distributing loaves of bread, sacks of rice and bottled water to more than five hundred residents of Brgy. Baliwagan in Balamban Municipality where many of DIff Fam’s dance crew members also hail from. “This would not have been possible without the help of AP Partylist. This is only the first of many outreach activities that we are going to do with them. We mobilized thirty of our Diff Fam members who did the actual distribution to our fellow residents,” says Byron

who also added that their members felt happy and energized to be able to be of help to their community.

“Salamat kay Cong. Ronnie Ong ng AP Partylist at sa Diff Fam members for the support, ang sarap ng feeling na makatulong sa kapwa mo, sobrang nakaka inspire, this time hindi lang kami nakapagbigay ng entertainment as a dance crew, nakatulong kami sa mga kababayan namin,” concluded Diff Fam member, Clifford Pormento.

Converge leads Netflix’ ISP speed index in December 2021 Leading fiber broadband operator Converge ICT Solutions Inc. remains to be the ISP providing the best streaming Netflix experience among the country’s players, landing on top of the Netflix ISP Speed Index Leaderboard at the end of 2021, according to the content streaming giant.

The Netflix ISP Speed Index Philippines shows every month which internet service providers give the superior primetime Netflix viewing experience in the country. Faster ISP Speed Index performance generally means better picture quality, quicker start times, and fewer interruptions when watching movies, TV series, and

other content on Netflix.

“We’re delighted to be recognized by Netflix, the biggest content streaming service provider in the world, for delivering the best digital experience to their users in the Philippines. We’ve been steadily improving our speed throughout the year, a testament that we’re committed to uplift the digital life of subscribers,” noted Converge Co-founder and CEO Dennis Uy. “Video streaming is one of the most demanding applications on the internet. It not only requires speed but high quality connection as well, otherwise users experience buffering, pixelization and slow-loading times. We

have designed our network to have low-delay or latency, no congestion, no packet loss and minimal outages to ensure that our customers have an enjoyable and uninterrupted video viewing experience.

We recognize our position in the Netflix ISP Speed Index Philippines as affirmation of the quality service we offer our customers,” added Converge Chief Operations Officer Jesus C. Romero.

In the December 2021 report, Converge registered a Netflix average speed of 3.6 Mbps, putting it toe to toe with Sky Cable for the month. The Netflix ISP speed of 3.6 Mbps outpaces the Philippines’ average speed of 3.4 Mbps, and is the highest

speed garnered by the fiber broadband provider in 2021.

Converge has seen its ISP speed improve by 11% since the start of 2021 when it logged a speed of 3.2 Mbps.

Converge has consistently topped the monthly Netflix ISP Speed Index in 2021, staying on No. 1 of the Leaderboard for 11 months during the year.

Converge, in November, gave its nearly 1.6 million subscribers a free speed upgrade of up to 800 Mbps. This comes as the fiber broadband provider completed its national digital highway in the same quarter, essentially connecting all the major islands of the Philippines to its fiber backbone.

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Waterfront in the time of pandemic Text and photos by HENRYLITO D. TACIO

W

e never expected that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) would wreak havoc not only on our health but also our economy. Although the death toll is not as high as those being infected with the virus, no one knows whether it will be mild or severe when you will be infected with it.

As a result, some people are wary but most of them are worried. Respected scientists from all over the world did the unthinkable: they worked together to find a vaccine

against the virus. After almost a year, they came up with not just one but several vaccines.

The Philippines joined the COVID-19 vaccination program as initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO). In Davao City, health officials were doing their best to inoculate most of the people.

Other organizations and institutions joined the cause.

Waterfront Insular Hotel was one of them.

The City Government of Davao, through the City Tourism Operations Office and the Davao Tourism Association, launched the “Bakuna by the Sea” on June 30, 2021 at the Waterfront’s Grand Pavilion.

“It was initially exclusive for tourism workers and allied services (including the media) but we eventually opened it up (later on) to the gen-

eral public,” says Wilfredo Paolo M. Rosello, marketing communications officer.

This year, it has continued to support the government’s program through the “Bakuna Booster by the Sea.” When the pandemic engulfed the whole country, Davao was also affected. No more conferences, meetings, and gatherings.

Travel by air, sea and land were curtailed; only in cases of emergencies and

very important matters that travels were allowed.

Some hotels in Davao City closed as a result of the health crisis. But Waterfront continued its business and came up with some strategies to entice people to come.

As it is far from the overcrowded city and having fresh air from the sea breeze, it is a good venue for something for a family or a small gathering.

“Given the need for

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Meanwhile, Davao City COVID-19 Task Force Dr. Michelle Schlosser earlier urged Dabawenyos to have themselves vaccinated amid the surge of COVID-19 cases in the city.

“Omicron is 10 times more transmissible sya compared to other variants. Ingon ana kapaspas.

Dapat 10 times vigilant pud ta kay ang kalaban

nato paspas og lihok (The Omicron is 10 times more transmissible than other variants. That’s how fast it is. We need to be 10 times vigilant because our enemy moves so fast),” Schlosser said in a previous interview with DCDR. She also said that time is of the essence in battling COVID-19. CIO

disclose ka nga naa kay ILI and imong kinahanglan na i-provide is RT-PCR test either positive o negative. Dili puwede mag ingon siya (employee) nga naa ko’y ILI mu-absent ko five days, no they are still required to present a RT PCR test result. Kung negative man they can go back to work right away,” Schlosser said.

Schlosser added that employees must also present certification of their negative RT-PCR test results.

“That is actually very sad kung ginaabuso sa katawhan ang ingon ana nga sitwasyon but then with

the new guidelines that we have right now, swab right away. Kung mag ingon ka nga duna kay ILI mag swab dayon ta and once negative ta one to two days ma-resolve naman na ang fever kay kung dili ma-resolve there must be something, walay fever na mag last ug three days. If ever negative sila the establishments can have them back to work basta resolve na ang ilahang ILI,” she said.

She added that workers can also avail themselves of ILI testing and quarantine services provided by the city government of Davao.

Usop said no such report of theft has ever been reported to the management after it prevented them from entering the terminal.

She said vendors renting stalls inside DCOTT also feared that allowing the peddlers inside might put them out of business

as they might not recover costs having to compete with peddlers over sales at this time when there is low passenger volume due to COVID-19 restrictions.

She said there are 70 to 80 stall owners within the terminal. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)

“Nonetheless, it shows that we are on the right track in our continuing efforts to increase the production of our major staples, in partnership with millions of our farmers, fishers, livestock and poultry raisers, local government units, pri-

vate sector, and agri-fishery stakeholders,” he added.

The Philippines has missed its agricultural output target in the past several years, blaming storms and other issues such as the African swine fever (ASF) in 2019 and 2020.

Khor attributed his expectations to the result of continued resilience of remittance inflows from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), which has been among the strong pillars of the economy for decades now.

However, he said that if the infections rise again, this will hit the services sector anew if ever there is a need to implement stricter quarantine measures.

Khor thus cited the need to further ramp up the vaccination effort against Covid-19 “to protect the population.”

“That will keep the economy much more open and they would certainly help the services sector,” he added.

Meanwhile, AMRO hiked its average inflation forecast for the Philippines, among other countries in the region, for 2021 from 4.3 percent to 4.5 percent, and from 3.2 percent to 3.3 percent for this year.

The 2021 forecast is above the government’s 2

to 4 percent target band while the projection for this year is within target.

“The upward revision relative to the October 2021 Update is mainly on account of higher cost pressures for food, energy and raw materials amid the global increase in prices, although these pressures are expected to ease by midyear,” the report said.

Khor expects the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to keep its key policy rates steady “until the (economic) recovery is stronger.”

He said domestic inflation rate is now on the downtrend after the elevated rate of price increases last year due to supply constraints.

With domestic output expected to further recover this year, Khor said “so by the end of this year, the output gap would be narrow and maybe that will be the time that the BSP will be more comfortable in normalizing the interest rate.”

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applicant is legally qualified, and that the proposed Digital Terrestrial Television (DTTB) broadcasting station in Metro Manila/Mega Manila is technically and economically feasible, in the interest of public service, the Commission hereby grants Advanced Media System Inc. a provisional authority to install, operate, and maintain a digital TV broadcasting system…using Channel 16…for 18 months,” said the order, a copy of which was shown to ABS-CBN News.

According to Bilyo-

naryo, the NTC sought the Justice Department’s opinion on this.

“The DOJ declared that the digital TV service could be opened to new players like Advanced Media because… the applicability of Memorandum Circular No. 07-12-2014 (which limits digital TV licenses only to those with analog TV operations) has been “altered by the change in factual circumstances”, according to Bilyonaryo.

The circumstances refer to ABS-CBN’s franchise expiration and non-renewal by Congress.

terials that will help the country’s goal to be the manufacturing and development hub in the region.

They added that the country’s participation in RCEP will facilitate in attracting foreign direct investments (FDIs).

“The RCEP region remains to be a strong bastion for economic activities and opportunities as trade and investment shift to Asia,” the IPAs and business groups said.

“With the foregoing, we

call on the Philippine Senate to immediately concur with the ratification of the RCEP agreement.”

President Rodrigo Duterte has ratified the country’s participation in RCEP in September last year.

It needs the Senate’s concurrence for the country to deposit its instrument of ratification.

The deal will take effect 60 days after depositing the ratification document. (PNA)

ers.

According to the BSP website, this practice is aimed “to ensure accountability in cases where the BSP fails to achieve (the) inflation target.”

Previous Open Letters to the President were issued in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2016, 2017, and 2019.

Diokno said the inflation target is determined and announced by the inter-agency Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) at least two years ahead of the target period.

For 2022-2024, the inflation target was set between 2 to 4 percent.

Diokno said food supply constraints such as on pork due to the African swine fever (ASF) that started in Asia in 2018, along with “existing regulatory, tariff, and technology constraints in the livestock and feed sector”, are among the factors that drove the elevated inflation rate last year.

Another factor is the increase in global oil prices after the recovery of global demand following a decline when the pandemic started in 2020 and of restrained supply, he said.

Diokno said these factors were partly offset by the negative base effects of higher transport fares in 2020, particularly of tricycle fares, when the government implemented movement restrictions.

He said while supply-side pressures rose, “demand-side pressures on inflation appear to be limited as evident in stable core inflation numbers, supporting the assessment that inflation had been mostly supply driven.”

He added core inflation, which excludes volatile food and oil items, is generally manageable in 2021 and posted an average of 3.3 percent yearon-year and little changed from 3.2 percent in 2020.

Diokno said monetary authorities kept the central bank’s key policy rates steady after slashing this off by 200 basis points in 2020 as upticks in domestic inflation rate have been caused by supply-side factors.

To date, the BSP’s overnight reverse repurchase (RRP) is at record-low of 2 percent.

Diokno said “the BSP tends to look through the initial impact of supply shocks because monetary policy has a limited impact on cost-push forces.”

He said the central bank supports the implementation of non-monetary interventions and reforms to alleviate supply-side constraints.

He added their inflation forecasts “indicate a reversion towards the target range in 2022 and 2023, suggesting a manageable inflation outlook.”

Diokno said “inflation expectations have also remained firmly anchored to the target band, based on the BSP’s surveys of private sector economists and analysts.”

“Given these considerations and significant downside risks to domestic economic growth amid the lingering threat of new Covid-19 variants and infections, the BSP has maintained an accommodative monetary policy stance to support the recovery of the economy while looking out for potential threats to price stability,” he added.

(PNA)

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people to unwind in a safe public space, we launched our Waterfront Picnics in our garden area,” Rosello says, adding that the hotel is open for such picnics from 6 to 10 am and from 3 to 6 pm.

At the start of the pandemic, most restaurants and foodie establishments were closed or open in limited hours only. So much so that Waterfront launched new promotions and highlighted its food and beverages offerings.

“We refined our offerings in our al fresco dining outlets: namely La Parilla, Pool Aquarius and Pizzaiolo,” Rosello states.

At the Pizzaiolo, you can order these pastas: aglio e olio, shrimp ala pobre, chicken carbonara and Filipino classics. The following pizzas may be ordered: margherita, Hawaiian, pizzaiolo, calzone, Milano, madrillo, Filipino, and Bolognese.

Those who want to stay at the hotel are assured that they are very safe. “We have intensified our safety and sanitation measures, especially in our rooms, to make sure that our guests have the best experience,” Rosello says.

In fact, before you can check-in, your body temperature will be checked.

There are alcohols in some places of the hotel where you can readily use for hand sanitizing. Even inside the rooms, you get to read information posted on the mirror about the health protocols that need to be observed.

As most Filipinos are now vaccinated, people are now starting to go out. Waterfront is now ready for the coming of their guests and visitors.

“We’re expecting for more people to visit na given

that more and more people are getting vaccinated and the restrictions are slowly easing up,” Rosello says.

Right now, Waterfront is busy preparing for its upcoming promos for Valentine’s Day and Holy Week. “We’ll be coming up with different promos both in our restaurant offerings and also for the staycationers,” Rosello points out.

Originally, Islandia Hotel was its name when it was launched on September 1, 1961 by a group of investors led by the Ayalas. Owners Don Enrique and Don Jaime Zobel changed it to EJ Davao Insular in 1962.

In 1980, it was renamed as Davao Insular Inter-Continental Inn. It finally became Insular Hotel Davao in 1991.

When Century Hotel took over the hotel (from 1994 to 1998), it was given the name, Insular Century Hotel.

When the Gatchalian family took over the hotel in 1999, it was renamed as Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao. And the name stuck until now.

The hotel is now part of Davao history. It has received several citations and recognitions from different award-giving bodies.

“Visitors, who in the last fifty years or more have been coming to enjoy this hotel’s amenities, to savor local hospitality and the gentle climate of Davao will be glad to know that their happy memories were kept alive,” said an information sheet given by Rosello to this author. “A part of local history, the hotel has been given a new and wonderful lease of life.”

Indeed!

first get an endorsement from their mother NSAs before the POC can include them in the roster.

The PATAFA, however, is removing Obiena from its national pool as part of the sanctions slapped on him after the NSA’s probe on his liquidation problems.

It has since deferred Obiena’s removal following its decision to enter the mediation, but with Obiena declining, the PATAFA could implement the penalties very soon.

Thus, the POC might push through with its “test case” on Obiena.

“We have a Group B,”

Tolentino bared.

This group, according to the congressman, consists of 80 athletes that would be mainly sponsored by the private sector.

While the POC is awaiting the final decision on whether the PSC will fund him, the POC somehow made a step ahead and placed Obiena in its Group B. “Ihahanap namin ng private (funding) si EJ basta makalaro (We will look for private funding for EJ so that he can play),” Tolentino said. “The NOC will fight for it.” (PNA)

the scorching Melbourne heat, but managed to close out the match.

Crucially, Nadal will

have an extra day off to prepare, with his semi-final not scheduled until Friday.

3-pointer during the 16-0 run and grabbed his own rebound after a miss and put it back up for a layup

that Maurice Harkless blocked but was called for goaltending, putting Boston up 33-7.

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Lakers star LeBron James goes for a layup against the Brooklyn Nets.

Celtics posts biggest win margin

B

OSTON — Jayson Tatum scored 36 points and Jaylen Brown had 30 points and 10 rebounds before both rested the entire fourth quarter as the Boston Celtics routed the Sacramento Kings, 128-75, on Tuesday night (Wednesday, Manila time).

Robert Williams finished with 13 points and 17 rebounds for the Celtics, who got off to a torrid start and never let up on the Kings, even when both teams went to reserves for the fourth quarter of a game that had been long decided. Boston stretched its lead to 60 points before it was over.

Buddy Hield led the Kings with 11 points. He

J

was the only Sacramento player to score in double figures as the Kings lost their fourth straight.

Richaun Holmes had nine points and nine rebounds and Tyrese Haliburton added seven assists for Sacramento.

The Celtics went on an 11-0 run early in the first quarter, then added a 16-0 spurt later in the period while holding the Kings scoreless for a stretch of 5:05. Boston led 38-13 after one.

Brown alone outscored Sacramento with 15 points in the first quarter and had a nice assist with a long bounce pass to set up Robert Williams for a dunk.

Grant Williams also hit a

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Lakers welcome back AD with rout of Nets N EW YORK — LeBron James welcomed Anthony Davis back with a lob pass for the game’s first basket, then turned to his own offense to score 33 points in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 106-96 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night (Wednesday, Manila time).

Davis had eight points in 25 minutes after missing 17 games with a sprained left knee and the Lakers got good nights off the bench from Malik Monk and Carmelo Anthony.

James added seven rebounds and six assists, punctuating his perfor-

mance with steals and dunks about 15 seconds apart midway through the fourth quarter in front of a roaring road crowd that didn’t have most of its own stars to cheer.

Monk scored 22 points, hitting six 3-pointers, and Anthony added 13.

James Harden had 33 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists in an impressive follow-up to his strong game in Los Angeles when the Nets won there on Christmas. But with Kevin Durant still out with a sprained left knee ligament and the unvaccinated Kyrie Irving unavailable again now that the Nets are back from their four-game road trip, the Nets couldn’t match the Lakers on one of their good nights in an uneven season.

Davis looked in sync right away, throwing down a lob pass from James on the first possession of the game. He also blocked three shots in the first quarter,

which ended with the Lakers leading 33-25 on James’ basket as time expired.

James opened the second quarter with a threepoint play to push the lead to 11, and the Lakers would lead by as much as 14 before taking a 62-53 lead to halftime.

The Nets got within two midway through the third, but James made two straight jumpers, Monk hit a 3-pointer and James fired a pass to a cutting Russell Westbrook that led to a three-point play that capped a quick 10-2 spurt and restored the double-digit lead at 81-71. It wasn’t close again.

Nadal satisfied with amazing career

ust two wins away from having the outright record for most men’s grand slam titles, Rafael Nadal claims he is already at peace with his dazzling career.

Bidding for a record 21st grand slam men’s singles crown, the Spanish legend will face Italian seventh seed Matteo Berrettini in the semi-finals for a place in the Australian Open decider.

Of all four grand slams, the first of the calendar year has been Nadal’s least successful in terms of silverware.

But without Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic at Melbourne Park this year, Nadal now has a golden opportunity

to become men’s tennis’s all-time majors title leader.

The three greats are locked on 20 slams each.

Djokovic was favourite to take the mantle by claiming his 10th Australian Open title, but the world No.1 was deported to Serbia before the tournament began following the drawn-out saga surrounding his visa.

At 35, Nadal is simply happy to still be contending in grand slams.

“I don’t believe that my happiness, my future happiness is gonna depend on if achieve one more grand slam than the others or if the others achieve more grand slams than me,” Nadal

said.

“I am super satisfied and feel a very lucky person in general for all the things that happen to me in this life.

“You can’t be always frustrated if the neighbour has a bigger house than you or a better phone or a better thing.

“I’m not going to be frustrated if Novak or Roger finishes the career with more grand slams than me.”

To make it through to the last-four, Nadal had to survive a tense five-set battle with Canadian rising star Denis Shapovalov.

Nadal was two sets up, before struggling with stomach issues in

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Rafael Nadal claims he is already at peace with his dazzling career.

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ON HOLD T

The PSC remains firm that the mediation process is the best way to finally put to rest the rift between Obiena and the PATAFA, which stemmed from liquidation issues.

PSC freezes Obiena-Patafa mediation

he Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) has put the mediation between EJ Obiena and the Philippine Athletic Track and Field Association (PATAFA) on hold.

In a statement on Tuesday, a day after Obiena announced his decision to back out of the talks, the PSC implied that it would just wait for Obiena to retract and finally say yes to it instead of canceling it.

“As mediation requires the voluntary agreement of both parties for the process to proceed, we inform you that mediation is temporarily on hold,” the PSC statement read.

The PSC remains firm that the mediation process is the best way to finally put to rest the rift between Obiena and the PATAFA, which stemmed from liquidation issues.

“We maintain our stand that mediation is still the best option to resolve this matter,” it said.

Speaking of liquidation, the PSC also confirmed that Obiena has accomplished his liquidation reports.

“Mr. Obiena has submitted his liquidation reports. The PSC’s accounting office and the Commission on Audit shall proceed with their normal post-audit process of checking and verification on submitted liquidation documents,” it said.

Obiena listed in SEAG team Meanwhile, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino disclosed that Obiena is listed

in the Philippine team that will compete in the Southeast Asian Games (SEAG) in Hanoi this May. Tolentino reiterated a certain clause in the International Olympic Committee (IOC) charter that could allow Obiena, the defending SEA Games men’s pole vault champion, to compete even without an endorsement from his mother national sports association (NSA), which is the PATAFA. “The NOC (National Olympic Committee) is the sole authority who submits the delegation as the final list on all Olympic, regional, continental, and world tournaments patronized by the IOC not only based on sports merits but based on if the athletes will be the inspiration of the youth of that country,” Tolentino detailed the clause in the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum earlier Tuesday. “(The NOCs) decide upon the entry of the athletes proposed by their respective national federations. Such election shall be based not only on the sports performance of an athlete but also on his ability to serve as an example to the sporting youth of his country,” he said.

By default, athletes must

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