Edge Davao Volume 14 Issue 273 | Tuesday, February 8, 2022

EDGEDAVAO EXCEPTIONALLY UNPLEASANT Serving a seamless society

ABORTION: DEATH BEFORE BIRTH

HEALTH P 9

VOL.14 ISSUE 273 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2022

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Vice presidential aspirant and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio says she is not entertaining the possibility of replacing presidential candidate and former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. if the petition against the latter is granted.

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Sara not entertaining thoughts of replacing Bongbong if he wins STORY ON PAGE 2

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 273 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2022

A member of the Davao City Police Office checks a taxi at a checkpoint along Tionco Street in Davao City on Monday, 7 February 2022, in line with the implementation of the election gun ban ordered by the Commission on Elections.

MindaNews Photo

EXCEPTIONALLY UNPLEASANT Sara not entertaining thoughts of replacing Bongbong if he wins

By MAYA M. PADILLO

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between me and Presidential candidate Bongbong Marcos about the disqualification charges against him.

Personally, I find talks about me ‘possibly replacing’ a President Bongbong Mar-

cos exceptionally unpleasant as — in reality — both of us are yet to win the elections. It is putting the cart before the horse. I am not entertaining the thoughts of a possible replacement as I also do not look forward to a scenario of a disqualified BBM — before or after the elections,” Mayor Sara said in a statement.

The mayor also maintained that the disqualifica-

tion cases filed against her running mate BBM have no basis at all and are only orchestrated by anti-Marcos forces desperate to regain control of the country.

“Never mind if they sow divisiveness among our people, never mind if they undermine our freedom, never mind if they make a mockery of our laws,” Mayor Sara said.

capitulated to the troops in the previous week bringing along their high-powered firearms.

The successful military operations launched by the troops of 4th Infantry Division’s 403rd Brigade and 1st Special Forces Battalion (1SFBn) in Bukidnon has led to the surrender of 12 high-ranking leaders and members of Guerilla Front (GF) 68B, SRC4 and SRC5 of

the North Central Mindanao Regional Committee on February 4, 2022.

The surrenderees were identified as Ponduwa Domino Hangadon alias Kayleb, Political Guide of Squad 1, Ace Company; Garry Balansi Ampoan alias Liyab, head of education and propaganda of Sub-Regional Sentro De Grabidad (SRSDG) Crackers Company; Jobert Culentas Man-

lapitao alias Lance, team leader of Squad 1, Platun Uno, SRSDG Crackers Company; Chriza Baliling Paluga, alias Enchang, medical officer; John Almier Cumad Semini alias Jazz, political guide of Squad 1; Jason Valcorza Omongos alias Araw, political guide of Squad 2, Platun Uno; Cristine Baliling Paluga, alias Lexie, political guide of Squad 2,

ice presidential aspirant Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio is not entertaining thoughts of replacing Presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. should the latter win in the upcoming May elections.

Mayor Sara said talks about her ‘possibly replacing ‘ Marcos is exceptionally unpleasant as both of them are yet to win in the elections.

“There is no discussion

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EastMinCom claims dwindling leadership of NPA leads 15 rebels to surrender

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s the leadership of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) in Eastern Mindanao weakens further following the series of neutralization of their top-ranking leaders, due to the relentless focused military operations directed

by LtGen. Greg T. Almerol, the Commander of Eastern Mindanao Command (EastMinCom) to his forces, another 15 CTG members

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Bukidnon cops bust woman selling counterfeit vax cards

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woman has been arrested for selling fake coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) vaccination cards in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, police authorities said on Saturday.

Bukidnon Police Provincial Office (BukPPO) spokesperson Capt. Jiselle Longakit said suspect Sharlyn Abdul, 20, was arrested selling two fake vaccination cards worth PHP700 to undercover cops during an entrapment in Mulberry, Barangay Tankulan on Friday.

The Municipal Health Office (MHO) headed by Katrina Tilap, a public health nurse, and Barangay Tankulan Kagawad Allan Imprugo were also present during the operation.

In a phone interview, Maj. Carlito Chua Jr., Manolo Fortich police chief, said they started surveillance on January 25 after an MHO personnel reported to the police the possible selling of fake vaccination cards.

Chua said a concerned citizen from Barangay Dalirig presented the fake vaccination card to a vaccinator from the MHO. “The vaccinator reported the incident to us because she identified that the vaccination card presented to her by the person she knows is fake. After that, we im-

mediately started our surveillance monitoring,” Chua said.

He said the subject person of the operation is Salmina Musa, the suspect’s older sister. However, during the operation, Abdul was the one who did the transaction.

“Our target, based on our surveillance monitoring, is Salmina Musa, who is the owner of ‘ukay-ukay’ (used clothes) store (place of the entrapment). During the operation, the suspect did the transaction by asking the name, getting the fake vaccination cards, and getting the marked money,” he said.

He said the investigation is still ongoing to identify the printing area where these fake vaccination cards were made.

Authorities said this was the first incident of selling fake vaccination cards not only in Manolo Fortich, but in the entire province.

Following the incident, the local police warned individuals making, selling, and using fake Covid-19 vaccination cards.

“We intensified our campaign against making, selling, and using fake vaccination cards and we always advised the public that they will face criminal charges if they were captured by the authorities,” Longakit said. (PNA)

NEWS

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Assassination plot against Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KJC) is being verified on Monday, according to reports of SMNI. Edge Davao

Lawyer says FBI ‘wanted’ poster questionable

By MAYA M. PADILLO

Sara backs Escudero, Padilla, Panelo senatorial candidacy

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ice-presidential candidate Sara Duterte has announced support to the national bid of Francis Escudero, this province’s governor who is seeking a Senate return after his tenure from 2007 to 2019.

The Davao City mayor and chairperson of Hugpong ng Pagbabago and Lakas-CMD (Christian Muslim Democrats) made the announcement over the weekend, shortly after the “Mahalin Natin Ang Pilipinas Ride”, the motorcycle convoy which she heads, arrived in Sorsogon from Northern Samar.

Duterte will likewise back the Senate run of actor Robin Padilla and lawyer and former presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo.

Escudero, Padilla, and

Panelo are non-UniTeam candidates.

“Meron din po akong hindi kasama sa UniTeam pero mga kaibigan ko pa rin at tinutulungan ko sila sa kanilang pagtakbo as senators (They may not be part of UniTeam but they are my friends so I support their Senate bids),” Duterte said in a news release.

The senatorial aspirants under UniTeam are former senator Jinggoy Estrada, outgoing Antique Rep. Loren Legarda, former Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista, incumbent Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, former Tarlac congressman and Defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro, former Public Works secretary Mark Villar, and another former presidential spokesperson, Harry Roque.

(PR)

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The FBI has released wanted posters of Quiboloy and KOJC officials Teresita

Dandan and Helen Panilag over the weekend following their indictment in Novem-

ber 2021.

“Without going into the merits of the case, ang timing po nitong paglabas nitong poster na ito at the very suspect, the indictment,” said Lawyer Ferdinand Topacio in a virtual presser.

Topacio also pointed out that the federal jury indictment was made on November 10, 2021 wherein a warrant was already

here is no short list of bidders from China yet for the design-andbuild package of the first phase of the Mindanao Railway Project (MRP) which prompted the project’s extension.

“No short list of bidders has yet been submitted

and we really need to extend the timeline because of the delay of the short list of bidders,” lawyer James Adam S. Zozobrado, head of the Right of Way Site Acquisition (ROWSA) of the Department of Transportation (DoTr), said in a virtual presser on Monday.

The transportation department reported that it is expecting to receive within the first quarter the short list of bidders.

The first phase of MRP covers a 100-kilometer railway that will connect Tagum in Davao del Norte, Davao City, and Digos

member of the legal team of Evangelist Apollo Quiboloy, founder of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name (KOJC), questioned the release of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI’s) wanted poster against the pastor as the election campaign is about to begin.

issued.

“Supposedly, according sa poster na pinost sa website ng FBI there was a warrant issued also on that day, common sense dictate, if we have a warrant immediately put up a wanted poster.

Bakit hinintay pa po hanggang ngayon kung kailan mag uumpisa ang kampanyahan para sa na-

in Davao del Sur with eight stations.

The project is expected to accommodate 122,000 passengers per day and cut travel time between Tagum and Digos from three hours to just one hour.

“MRP is already in its

FLAWYER P10

No short list of bidders yet for Mindanao train project T

FNO SHORT, P10

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 273 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2022

A pump attendant refills a motorcycle with gasoline at a station in Matina, Davao City. Oil firms have announced that they will implement a price hike per liter of gasoline by P1.05, diesel by P1.20 and kerosene by P1.25 starting today, February 8, 2022. Edge Davao

Another big-time oil price increase today

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P1.25.

Cleanfuel will implement the same changes, excluding kerosene which it does not carry.

The changes will take effect at 6 a.m. on today, February 8, except for Cleanfuel which will implement the adjustments at 4:01 p.m. the same day. Other firms have yet to make similar announcements.

Latest data available from the Department of Energy indicate that year-todate adjustments stand at

a total net increase of P4.95 per liter for gasoline, P7.20 per liter for diesel, and P6.75 per liter for kerosene.

Pump prices have only been increased so far this year, following a net increase of P17.65 per liter for gasoline, P14.30 per liter for diesel, and P11.54 per liter for kerosene in 2021.

and 2,000 unofficial social media accounts and phishing sites were blocked by Globe Telecom in 2021, it said in a statement.

The Ayala-led telco also reiterated its commitment to boost its “online customer care” through an effective cybersecurity program.

“Customer protection has always been a top priority for us. We are contin-

uously strengthening our systems and processes to combat emerging security threats across the Globe Group of Companies while also pioneering better partnerships and coordination with the private sector as a whole,” Globe Chief Information Security Officer Anton Bonifacio said.

Globe said it invests in tools to proactively detect

suspicious content online, processes to immediately act on fraud concerns. It also has chatbots in place to assist in privacy and cybersecurity-related concerns, it said.

The telco is also working with all major banks and online shops to hasten fraud resolutions, it said.

Globe customers should

otorists will have to pay at least P1.05 more per liter for petroleum products starting today, as oil firms announced another big-time hike to mark the sixth straight week of increases.

In an advisory, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. said it will hike prices per liter of gasoline by P1.05, diesel

by P1.20, and kerosene by

Globe blocks over 1 billion spam messages in 2021

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lobe Telecom said it blocked over 1 billion spam messages as well as mobile numbers and phishing sites in 2021 as part of its internet safety campaign to protect consumers during the pandemic.

At least 1.15 billion scam and spam messages, around 7,000 mobile numbers linked to fraudsters

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Tax the rich proposal to have adverse effect on economy: business groups

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he government should improve on tax collections and attract investments to create more jobs and fuel economic recovery instead of imposing wealth tax as proposed by presidential candidate Ka Leody De Guzman, business groups said Monday.

During the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas Forum, De Guzman reiterated his push for 20-percent wealth tax to be imposed on the 500 richest families in the country to fund social services.

But instead of gains, wealth tax may result in capital flight, reduced investments and therefore cut funds for economic growth and creation, Management Association of the Philippines president Alfredo Pascual said.

“Wealth taxes could be scary, negative implications, some potential adverse effect,” Pascual said.

“What we need to do is focus on the economy and do what’s necessary to attract investments and enable the environment so that more business can be set up and jobs can be created…let’s pursue those reforms, that’s the way to go rather than thinking of new taxes to put again as a burden,” he added.

Instead for crafting new tax “burden,” Pascual proposed improving collections from current tax laws as well as the passage of tax reforms.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s economic managers have designed a comprehensive tax reform program (CTRP) to improve collection as well as enhance tax policies.

The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law as well as the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enter-

FTAX, P10

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ECONOMY 5

Two artists paint an image of a heart on the wall of a restaurant in Malaybalay City on Sunday, 06 February 2022, a week before Valentine’s Day. MindaNews photo by H. MARCOS C. MORDENO

DTI-DavSur registers over 1K businesses via annual BOSS GSP+ extension, free trade agreement with EU eyed

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trade official is pushing for the extension of the European Union’s (EU) trade preferences program while pursuing a possible free trade agreement (FTA) with the bloc for boosting bilateral trade relations.

Angelo Salvador Benedictos, director of the DTI-Bureau of International Trade Relations, said they want the renewal of the EU Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) as “it benefits a lot of industries, a lot of areas in the Philippines”.

The current EU GSP+ scheme, which allows for the duty-free entry of 6,274 Philippine products into Europe, will expire by the end of 2023, according to a news release on Saturday.

“So we are benefiting from it, we are making use of it. It is good for us and it is good for Europe. And in the short term, we must be able to renew and extend, and in the long term, please let us think about a better way to trade between Europe and the Philippines and that we could think about the FTA that we have been discussing,” he said in a recent webinar.

Benedictos said there were already two rounds of Philippines-EU FTA negotiations.

According to the BI-

TR-Bilateral Relations Division, the Philippine strategic objectives in engaging the EU in an FTA include securing additional duty-free market access beyond those covered under the GSP+ scheme and on a permanent basis; providing a conducive framework for attracting greater investments from the EU; and being at par with other Asean member states who are aggressively pursuing FTAs with the EU. Kristiyana Kalcheva, policy officer for bilateral relations in trade and sustainable development and the EU GSP in the European Commission’s directorate-general for trade, said as the current GSP regulation will expire on Dec. 31, 2023, the EC made a proposal on September 22 last year for a new regulation, which the European Parliament and the Council are currently discussing.

“The aim is to have the new GSP regulation adopted by 2022, with application from Jan. 1, 2024, to ensure predictability and a smooth transition,” she said.

Kalcheva said one important aspect is the Commission’s proposal for GSP+ beneficiaries to reapply for the scheme.

“This is because there

FGSP+, P10

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he Bureau of Customs (BOC) - Port of Davao reported Thursday that it has exceeded its January 2022 revenue collection target.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here has registered more than a thousand businesses last month through the annual Business One Stop Shop (BOSS) activities all over the province.

With the help of its Negosyo Centers (NCs), DTI-Davao del Sur was successful in registering the local micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), not only in its capital Digos City, but also in the different municipalities.

Starting on January 03 this year, the NC-based business counselors manned their respective stations to provide assistance on business name registration,

business consultancy, and other related services. This resulted in the registration of 1,332 business names, as of January 31. Of this figure, 200 are from Digos City; 95, Sta. Cruz; 134, Bansalan; 260, Hagonoy; 40, Magsaysay; 133, Sulop; 41, Padada; 273, Malalag; 70, Kiblawan; and 86, Matanao. These already include both the new applications and those for renewal.

DTI-Davao del Sur OIC Provincial Director Maria Victoria R. Placer shared that there was a notable slump in the BOSS business name registration this year compared to what was achieved in 2021.

“If we are to compare it

with the 2021 figures, this year’s new business name registration and renewal processed through the Business One Stop Shop decreased by approximately 40%. We are optimistic, though, that we can still generate more since there are still municipalities with ongoing BOSS, such as Kiblawan,” Engr. Placer said.

Meanwhile, the local trade official explained that the decline could be attributed to the agency’s intensified campaign among entrepreneurs to maximize the Business Name Registration System (BNRS).

“I believe that the decrease is also significantly contributed by our intensified promotion of the online business name registration which is really safer, easier and more convenient for the public. By using the

BNRS, the applicants no longer need to go out since they can simply apply online and use their GCash or PayMaya accounts for payment,” she added.

The BOSS is mandated for every city and municipality to conduct under Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business and Efficient Government Service Delivery Act of 2018.

This law simplifies the business licensing registration process following the inter-agency collaboration strategy. Accordingly, the DTI, along with other national line agencies such as the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Philippine National Police (PNP), are pooled in one place to facilitate a more systematic and more efficient business license processing.DTI11

dapat ipa-rehistro na,” said Gatchalian.

(It only needs the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte. All SIM cards should be registered.)

Gatchalian said the measure will prevent people from using cellphones to harass and bully others, or commit fraud. He noted that cellphones have even

been used as triggering devices for bombs.)

Gatchalian, in a previous statement said this took him “eight years” for this bill to get to where it is today.

He is confident that the measure can deter crimes and even troll farms.

“Malaki ang paniniwala ko na… bababa ang

kaso sa krimen,” he added.

(I believe that the crime rate will decrease.)

An Internet rights advocacy group meanwhile said it was worried the recently ratified SIM Card Registration Act’s provision on social media accounts was “too vague” to be safely implemented.

SIM Registration Act ready for Pres. Duterte signature

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enator Sherwin Gatchalian said the measure mandating the registration of SIM cards has already been sent to Malacañang for President Rodrigo Duterte’s signature.

“Lagda nalang po ng Pangulo (Pres. Rodrigo Duterte) ang inaantay.

Ang lahat ng SIM cards,

6 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 273 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2022

On talks she is eyeing to replace runningmate Bongbong in case they win the elections:

Personally, I find talks about me ‘possibly replacing’ a President Bongbong Marcos exceptionally unpleasant as — in reality — both of us are yet to win the elections.”

Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio

EDITORIAL Science catching up with the virus After the vaccines, the world welcomes a new arsenal against Covid-19. The good thing is, you don’t need to go through the needles. It’s just a pill to be swallowed.

That’s the good news.

country’s arsenal of drugs to fight new variants. The approval of the treatment pill came along with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5-11.

Pfizer has developed the drug called Paxlovid which experts considered as a big step to efforts towards treatment of Covid.

Last October, the Food and Drug Administration allowed 31 Philippine hospitals to use Merck’s molnupiravir, the world’s first oral antiviral medication for COVID-19, under a compassionate use permit even before approval for its wider use.

Last December, the Philippines approved emergency use of Merck & Co Inc’s (MRK.N) COVID-19 treatment pill for adult patients at risk of developing severe illness as it tries to boosts the

The signs are imminent and it’s a welcome relief to see science eventually catch up on the virus.

This means, we are moving towards treating Covid with medication. Aside from Pfizer’s Paxlovid, there have been tests and usage of other drugs like Ivermectin and MRK.N.

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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

Before that, the country also made tests of the controversial drug Ivermectin. President Rodrigo Duterte, however, has left it to the doctors to use ivermectin to their patients. Making it a “judgment call.”

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)

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 273 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2022

VANTAGE POINTS

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HENRYLITO D. TACIO THINK ON THESE!

THIS IMPENETRABLE THING CALLED LOVE In 100 Love Sonnets, Pablo Neruda wrote: “I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where. I love you simply, without problems or pride: I love you in this way because I do not know any other way of loving but this, in which there is no I or you, so intimate that your hand upon my chest is my hand, so intimate that when I fall asleep your eyes close.”

Ah, love. It defies definition.

The ancient Greeks, for instance, had anywhere between four and eight different words for love (depending on the source).

These are: storge (affection), philia or phileo (friendship), eros (sexual, erotic), agape (unconditional, divine, selfless), ludus (flirtatious, playful, casual, uncommitted), pragma (committed, long-standing), philautia (self-love), and mania (obsessive, possessive, addictive, dependent).

In one way or another, we experience some of those kinds of love. But the English language has only one word for it: love. However, there are other words that may imply love such as affection, friendship, attraction, etc.

But until now, no one really can give a comprehensible definition of love. After all, love is and always is a complex concept. “Is it an emotion, a state of being, a choice, an ability, a

gift, a force, or all of the above?” asked Kristi Walker, author of Convinced: Applying Biblical Principles to Life’s Choices.

“People say love is pure, painful, sweet, and dreadful – all at once,” pointed out Lifehack’s Lisa Smith. “The truth is, love is a basic necessity in everyone’s life. Everyone needs to be loved to live a proper and healthy life.”

Red roses, tender songs, pink missives, romantic day-dramas, pedestalled Aphrodites and Adonises, young and old thoughts of companionship, love-aches or heartaches – all these manifest that nobody is incapable of loving as of being loved.

Hollywood movies with love in their titles abound: Love Story, Love in the Afternoon, Love Letters, When a Man Loves a Woman, Women in Love, and Love is a Many-Splendored Thing. The Tagalog term for love is “pag-ibig.” So much that it is common to find the word in movie titles, too: All You Need is Pag-ibig, Ikaw ang Pag-ibig, Nakaw na Pag-ibig, Palimos ng Pag-ibig, and Saan Nagtatago ang Pag-Ibig?

So, what is this elusive and ephemeral chemical experience that all humans want and crave?

Let’s go down in history and read some explanations from the rich, famous, and mighty.

“Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get – only with what you are expecting to give – which is everything,” said four-time Oscar winner Katharine Hepburn, who had an “affair” with her famous leading man, Spencer Tracy, whom she never married.

Another award-winning actress, Joan Crawford, compared love to a fire. “But whether it is going to warm your heart or burn down your house, you can never tell,” said the actress who starred in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?

“Where there is love, there is life,” commented Indian political ethicist Mahatma Gandhi. “The greatest happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved; loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves,” French novelist Victor Hugo said.

“There is always some madness in love,” said German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche.

“But there is always some reason for madness.” French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupery wrote: “Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.”

To a psychiatrist, love is nothing but a neurosis. Dr. Reich Fromm, a noted American psychoanalyst, explains: “Love is an active power in man; a

power which breaks through the walls which separate man from his fellow man, which unites him with others; love makes him overcome the sense of isolation and separateness, yet, it permits him to be himself, to retain his integrity. In love, the paradox occurs that two human beings become one and yet remain two.”

Those are serious points of views about love. But there are some famous people who have been poking at the subject. “Love is like the measles, all the worse when it comes late in life,” English writer Douglas Jerrod says. French novelist and philosopher Remy de Gourmont contends: “Man begins by loving love and ends by loving a woman; woman begins by loving a man and ends by loving love.”

American satirist H.L. Mencken points out: “Love is like war: easy to begin but very hard to stop.” Canadian humorist Stephen Leacock has this idea: “Many a man in love with a dimple makes the mistake of marrying the whole girl.” American columnist Helen Rowland outdid both when she once wrote: “Love is woman’s eternal spring and man’s eternal fall.”

Despite all these, love is immortal. It lives forever. Read what Eben Eugene Rexford wrote in his Silver Threads

Among the Gold: “Love can never grow old, locks may lose their brown and gold, cheeks may fade and hollow grow; but hearts that love will know. Never winter’s frost and chill, summer’s warmth is still in them.”

The Holy Bible gives us the real meaning of love in I Corinthians 13. Love, it says, is patient, kind, not jealous, not conceited, not proud, not ill mannered, not selfish, and not irritable. It does not keep a record of wrongs. It is not happy with evil but is happy with the truth. Above all, love never gives up.

Genuine love is neither nonce-sense nor non-sense. It is a disciplined commitment to all that is good and true. It is willing to undergo some troubles in response to the spoken or unspoken needs of the other.

As Og Mandino, author of the best-selling The Greatest Salesman in the World, aptly puts it: “I will love the kings for they are but human; I will love the meek for they are divine. I will love the rich for they are yet lonely; I will love the poor for they are so many. I will love the young for the faith they hold; I will love the old for the wisdom they share. I will love the beautiful for their eyes of sadness; I will love the ugly for their souls of peace.”

Ah, love!

ANTONIO V. FIGUEROA FAST BACKWARD

KEELUNG AS DAVAO’S ‘SISTER CITY’ Sisterhood pacts are social conduits that also carry broad economic implications resulting from the exchanges expected between two friendly regions. In the case of Davao City, it has, over a 48-year period (1974-2022), signed two covenants with Taiwan and China. The earliest among was the 1974 sisterhood pact with Keelung City, a port city in northeast Taiwan.

The idea commenced during the stint of Chinese (Taiwan) Consul Tseng I-Chang in Davao City when a 15-member trade mission paid a visit to the republic in September 1973 at the invitation of China External Trade Development Council.

The group discussed with their counterparts on matters related to fishing, agricultural, and wood industries.

On October 17, 1973,

Jose C. Sevilla, president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce (DCCC) wrote Davao City mayor Luis T. Santos of the group’s intent to launch business relations with Keelung capitalists and endorsed the forging of a sisterhood pact with the Taiwanese city.

In support, the 8th Council of Davao, on November 9, 1973, on motion of city councilor Domingo R. Vidanes, passed Resolution No. 1962 declaring Keelung a sister city.

A copy of the resolution, later adopted unanimously by the Taiwanese government on May 22, 1974, was furnished to Keelung mayor Cheng-hsiung Chen, who was receptive and excited to the idea, through Davao City mayor Luis T. Santos.

In his response to Santos’ letter, Chen stated: “On behalf of all the citizens of the City

of Keelung, I would like to express our deep appreciation for your outstanding contribution to the promotion of friendship between our two cities. I also want to thank you for the prompt action you have taken to adopt our city as a sister city of your beautiful City of Davao.”

The Taiwan visit also inspired the DCCC, in its special board meeting on April 18, 1974, to unanimously convey its appreciation and praise to the Republic of China for the ‘invaluable services and courtesies extended to the business community of Davao City’ through the consul, dubbed as ‘one of the most esteemed and respected foreign diplomats’ in the city.

To formalize the pact, a Chinese delegation led by Keeling mayor Chen and Speaker T’sai

Huo Pao of the Keelung City Council, arrived in Davao City on August 23, 1974. Joining the party were Feng-Hui Li, chairman, Chamber of Commerce of Keelung City; Han Chan, Han Chan, president, Central Lions Club of Keelung City; ChungHao Chen, deputy governor, Lions Club of Keelung City; Atung Tseng, Lions; Ching-sun Li, Secretary; Kuang-lieh Chi, Tusheng Chang, Ling-wan Chou, businessmen. On that same day, the two mayors issued a joint proclamation to complete the sisterhood affiliations, declaring in part: “Let it be known that the City of Davao… and the City of Keelung… being mutually motivated by a common desire to reach each other in friendship, as both dream as one in fostering the brotherhood of man, upon the unanimous res-

olution of their respective governments, do hereby mutually agree to declare and proclaim a sisterhood of the two cities that both may better establish direct cultural, social and economic relationship and foster genuine friendship and understanding between the two cities and their people.”

The covenant was signed nearly three years after the United Nations General Assembly voted on October 25, 1971, Resolution 2758 expelling Taiwan and restoring “all its rights to the People’s Republic of China” as “the only legitimate representatives of China” to the body.

On June 9, 1975, Beijing began diplomatic relations with the Philippines. In 2007, Davao City forged a sisterhood pact with Nanning, the capital of China’s Guangxi region.

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COMPETITIVE EDGE

Monkayo, Davao de Oro---Education has always been a priority of Governor Tyron Uy’s leadership in Davao de Oro, and for the next few days, another one (1) unit, two (2) classroom buildings will rise in the farflung Sitio Tagbawi, in Brgy.

Rizal, Monkayo.

Schools in highly urbanized areas are typical institutions, but for people in far-flung communities, it’s an opening for more opportunities. The eradication of insurgency also brought major changes in the hinterlands, and for Sitio Tagbawi, it will be a game-changer.

Situated in higher grounds, four tribes reside in Tagbawi and its neighboring communities; the Mangguwangan, Dibabawon, Manobo, and Mandaya tribes.

In the year 2017, Sitio Tagbawi withdraws from supporting the communist group and was one of the pilot communities to benefit from the Oplan Pagbabago Program of the provincial government of Davao de Oro. Now that the presence of communists were totally banished from their area, development began to spur.

Schoolchildren will no

Program”, wherein volunteers from the Department of Education, 25th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, employees of the provincial government and other private partners go handin-hand for its completion.

A total of eighty (80) students are currently enrolled in the school, all from the three sitios with more or less three-hundred (300) households.

More projects are underway for Tagbawi. Sooner, a solar dryer and a water system project will be utilized by local farmers in the area, and transportation of local produce will be of comfort after the completion of a farm-to-market road. The provincial government initially targets to accomplish and turn over the school building with complete facilities on March 4, 2022.

(JA, PAO-IPRD, photos by J. Cadiz) Gov. Tyron Tyron Uy gipirmahan ang “2022 National and Local Election Integrity Pledge” Opisyal na nga nga gipirmahan ni Gov. Jayvee Tyron Uy ang “2022 National and Local Election Integrity Pledge” dala matud pa niya

longer traverse kilometers as the learning institution will be brought closer to them. Two (2) more sitios; Little Depot, and Upper Pasian will also benefit from the project; a product of PLGU-Davao de Oro’s culture of ‘bayanihan’ through “Bayanihan Sa Paaralan

ang kinatibuk-ang tingog sa Team Walang Iwanan nga mipasalig pag buhat sa tanan aron mapaneguro ang limpyo, hapsay, malinawon, patas, ug matinud-anong eleksyon sa Davao de Oro. Apil sa mga mipirma si Vice Gov. Maricar Zamora ug mga kauban sa Team

A step closer to a better

Sitio Tagbawi

Walang Iwanan nga sila Former Gov. Atty.Jose Caballero, SB Member Mes Catherine Uy Pangay, Vice Mayor Madel Malone Cervantes, BM Vivencia Secuya, BM Raul Caballero, BM Atty. Marie Jude Lopoz ug uban pa.

Sa milabayng Miyerkules (Feb.2,2022) ang PNP

ug COMELEC nagpasiugda sa usa ka dungan nga “Inter-Faith/Prayer Rally and Peace Covenant Signing” sa Provincial Candidates ug Congressional Candidates sa Davao de Oro sulod sa DdO PPO Covered Court sa Nabunturan ug sa mga Local Candidates diha sa mga mu-

nisipyo.

“Sa ngalan sa tibuok Team Walang Iwanan sa Davao de Oro gikan sa probinsya hangtod sa munisipyo, barangay, ug sa atong mga purok, atong ginapasalig nga ang atong team buhaton ang tanan para sa usa ka limpyo, hapsay, malinawon,

patas, ug matinud-anong eleksyon!” Matud ni Gov. Tyron Uy. (Gilbert Magadan Cabahug PAO-IPRD DdO, Photos from Tyron Uy/ Cathy Cares) P2.5-M school building to rise in Sitio Cambudlot after Salugpongan closure

FA STEP, P10

SKY FIBER’S NEW SUPER SPEED PLANS HIT THE ‘SWEET SPOT’ BETWEEN AFFORDABLE AND SEAMLESS CONNECTION With speed boost and low installation promo until the end of April

SKY Fiber is launching its new set of Super Speed Plans on February 1 to deliver on consumers’ need for inexpensive plans with reliable internet connection.

“While we all continue to adapt to the new normal, we cannot deny the significance of having a good quality internet connection at home. As an internet service provider, SKY Fiber wants quality internet connection to be accessible to more Filipinos. With our new Super Speed Plans, we have enhanced the speeds of our best value plans bundled with the WiFi Mesh without compromising its affordability,” James Dumlao, SKY’s head of Consumer Products Group, said.

SKY Fiber’s new plans offer Unlimited Broadband Plans with speeds of up to 50Mbps (P1,699/month), 100Mbps (P2,299/month), and 150Mbps (P2,799/

month), compared to its previous offering of 40Mbps, 80Mbps, and 120Mbps.

The Unli Broadband + HD Cable TV Plans also provide higher speeds of up to 80Mbps (P2,499/month) and 150Mbps (P2,999/month) with more cable channels.

These Super Speed Plans prvide subscribers the right balance in terms of speed, strong connectivity, and value for money. Alan Supnet, SKY’s head of Broadband Products, said they looked into the sentiments of many Filipino families when they were developing SKY Fiber’s new set of plans.

“Families with a limited budget tend to get low-cost plans or wireless prepaid internet, but risk experiencing slow and spotty connection.

On the other hand, ultra-high speed plans that do offer reliable connection come with very high costs, which not a lot

of people can afford. SKY Fiber offers that sweet spot that’s ‘swak’ for their needs and budget,” he explained.

The new plans also come with free WiFi Mesh units (number of units included depend on the chosen plan) to evenly distribute the internet signal around the house.

To date, SKY Fiber remains to be the only internet service provider in the country that readily bundles the WiFi Mesh for free with its plans.

“We made sure to keep the WiFi Mesh included for free in all our broadband plans because we’ve seen how it enhances the experience of our subscribers in eliminating dead zones at home.

Most frustrations related to the internet are rooted in poor signal around the home, and the WiFi Mesh is our solution.

Anywhere in the house, our subscribers get seamless WiFi coverage without any addi-

tional cost,” Supnet said.

For users looking for a reliable plan to cater to their basic internet needs, SKY Fiber still offers its 20Mbps Plan maintained at the affordable price of P999 per month. An Unli Broadband Plan of up to 30 Mbps (P1,299/month) and Unli Broadband + HD Cable TV Plan of up to 40Mbps (P1,699/ month) are also new offerings that won’t break the bank.

As a treat for those who subscribe to the new Super

Speed Plans within February 1 to April 30, SKY Fiber is offering free and lowered installation fees. Select plans also get a free speed boost until April 30. The boosted speed will depend on the chosen plan. For example, subscribers of the 50Mbps Plan can experience up to 75Mbps until the end of April at no additional cost.

Aside from having new plans, SKY Fiber has made its highest speed plan of up to

200Mbps (P3,499/month) available in all SKY Fiber serviceable areas, which are Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Baguio, Cebu, Dumaguete, Bacolod, Iloilo, Davao, GenSan, and Zamboanga.

Visit mysky.com.ph/skyfiber to apply for these new fiber-fast plans. Existing SKY Fiber subscribers can continue to enjoy their current plans or choose to switch to the new plans.

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Newly-born baby (Heartbeat International)

W

hen Spain issued a law that eases up on abortion in 2010, the world was shocked. Abortion, the the law said, can be done on individuals as young as 16 or 17 years old “without restriction” – for up to 14 weeks of pregnancy.

In the Philippines, the news stirred a ruckus. After all, it was Spain who brought the religion – Christianity, that is – into the country. Many Filipino Catholics were completely surprised why Spain legalized abortion.

Since 1930, abortion has been a crime under Philippine law. The 1987 Philippine Constitution further underlines this when it stated that the State “shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception.”

“The Philippine law on abortion is among the most restrictive in the world, as it contains no express provision for any kind of exemption from criminal liability,” a lawyer commented. This silence of the law on any exception has a chilling effect to medical practitioners and thus imperils women’s lives.

In an interview with television host Boy Abunda, presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos,

Abortion (tipstimes.com)

Jr. said abortion may be justified for rape victims, young mothers, those who have mental problems, those who may not be able to take of their infants.

Although these women may choose to raise their children, the choice of having abortion should be theirs. “The bottom line is, when it comes to the subject of abortion, it is a woman’s decision because it is her body,” Marcos said.

Two other presidential aspirants are against abortion. “I don’t like taking life, so I don’t want abortion,” admitted Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso. “There is life inside the womb. Life is life, only God can take it away.”

“It is not the child’s fault that he or she is conceived,” reasoned out Senator Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao on why he is not in favor of abortion. “The child should not be affected by what’s happening.”

Vice President Leni Ro-

ABORTION:

DEATH BEFORE BIRTH

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

Heartbeat International and tipstimes.com on Flickr bredo is also against abortion but she is open for its decriminalization. “I’m so conflicted about it, because my faith teaches me that killing is really not allowed,” she said. “(But) I’m open to discussing its decriminalization.”

Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson could not decide on the matter. “I don’t think I’m prepared to make a decision even as we speak now about the matter,” he told Abunda.

Six out of 10 of all unwanted pregnancies end in an induced abortion, the Geneva-based World Health

Organization (WHO) reports. Around 45% of all abortions are unsafe, of which 97% take place in developing countries.

In the Philippines, abortion is still widely resorted to by women faced with unplanned pregnancies. Every year, more than 60,000 Filipinas are reported to have been injured from illegal abortion, with 1,000 dying from complications.

Actually, there are two types of abortion: therapeutic and selective. In medical parlance, therapeutic abortion means terminating the pregnancy of a woman if it threatens her life, and the fetus is not viable ex utero.

Therapeutic abortion is done is any of these situations: when there is a risk of maternal survival caused by the embryo and when the pregnancy impairs maternal life.

“One situation that I can think of wherein the life of the mother is in danger is ectopic pregnancy,” says Dr. Nelly Quintin-Dela Cruz, a consultant in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Manila Doctors Hospital. “This may endanger the life of the mother especially if it ruptures inside and causes profuse internal bleeding.”

Selective abortion, on the other hand, is terminating a pregnancy due to the fetus having undesirable characteristics. The reasons for the abortion are due to: fetus being defective, fetus is product of a rape, the parent is not ready to have a child, and cultural reasons (like in societies where having a girl is frowned upon, compared to having a boy).

The United Nations considered therapeutic abortion as acceptable, but the Philippines stands firm in its anti-abortion stand.

Articles 256, 258 and 259 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines mandate imprisonment for the woman who undergoes the abortion, as well as for any person who assists in the procedure, even if they be the woman’s parents, a physician or midwife. Article 258 further imposes a higher prison term on the woman or her parents if the abortion is undertaken “in order to conceal (the woman’s) dishonor.”

Right now, there is no law in the Philippines that expressly authorizes abortions in order to save the woman’s life; and the general provisions which do penalize abortion make no

qualifications if the woman’s life is endangered.

It may be argued that an abortion to save the mother’s life could be classified as a justifying circumstance (duress as opposed to self-defense) that would bar criminal prosecution under the Revised Penal Code.

However, this has yet to be adjudicated by the Philippine Supreme Court.

Because abortion is criminalized, a culture of stigma and impunity prevails. “I refused to be taken to the hospital,” explains Josie, an abortion survivor.

“I was afraid that I would get imprisoned. I bled for more than a week.”

Two-thirds of Filipino women who have abortions attempt to self-induce or seek solutions from those who practice folk medicine or hilot.

Women who abort their fetuses risk a prison sentence of up to six years, while anyone providing help or assisting faces a similar sentence.

Undergoing abortion is sort of a hell. “When she squeezed, it was so painful I wanted to kick her,” said one mother who had an abortion done by a hilot. “I bit the blanket. I wanted to cry but I felt I had to contain myself. The pain was worse than childbirth.”

Dr. Michael L. Tan, author

FABORTION, P10

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Construction works for MRP are expected to start in April this year and DoTr is targeting to start partial operations (Tagum-Carmen section) in October this year. By Maya M. Padillo

coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion; conspiracy; and bulk cash smuggling by a federal grand jury in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Santa Ana, California.

The legal team of Quiboloy believed that their client and the leaders were maliciously accused.

Meanwhile, on Monday, an assassination plot against Quiboloy was being verified, according to reports of SMNI, the media network of Quiboloy.

of Abortion: Realities and Responsibilities, says there are many different abortion methods used in the Philippines, to wit: Plants and plant preparations. Many of these plants probably induce contractions of smooth muscles, such as those in the uterus. Sometimes, people think the plants work because their menstruation “returns.” In reality, the menstruation was probably only delayed.

Physical methods. Massage and abdominal pressure are applied by the hilot, or sometimes by the pregnant woman herself. This is a terrible painful method and is dangerous, especially in more advanced pregnancies. The physical pressure is used to induce uterine contractions but these may not be enough to expel the fetus.

Insertion of catheters.

Women have been known to insert hangers, brooms, walis tingting. These often lead to infections.

Dilation and currettage.

Usually, this is done with women who had already started the abortion, in which case it is called completion currettage.

There are, however, clandestine clinics that use raspa (as it is called locally) to induce an abortion.

Menstrual regulation. This involves the use of suction or vacuum aspiration to terminate a very early pregnancy (usually the first few weeks).

Drugs. There are many Western drugs that people use to attempt to induce an abortion. These include medicines such as quinine, an anti-malarial; methylergometrin, a uterine stimulant and methotrexate, an

anti-cancer drug. With some of these drugs, an abortion is actually a side effect. In other cases, the western medicine used may even have the opposite effect on a pregnancy. Bricanyl (generic name: terbutaline) is perceived as an abortifacient in large doses but in reality, the drug actually delays labor rather than inducing an abortion.

One widely used drug, misoprostol (Cytotec), is actually a drug used to prevent ulcers but has abortion as a side effect. Because its use as an abortifacient is illegal, the drug is used on a trial-and-error basis, which then creates problems.

According to some studies, 70% of women who use massage or insertion of a catheter and 44% of those who use misoprostol suffer severe complications, compared with only 13% who undergo dilation and curettage or manual vacuum aspiration. An estimated 800 women per year die from complications of unsafe abortion.

“Unsafe abortion is a very serious public health issue, a silent scourge,” commented a health office, who oversees the monitoring of abortion cases and maternal deaths for the health department. He explained that there were attempts to address unsafe abortion through initiatives like more vigorous family planning but is almost always opposed by the church and anti-abortion groups.

Abortion opponents believe that a reproductive-health bill pending in Congress practically legalizes abortion. The bill’s intention, according to its authors, is to empower women to make more informed choices about their body.

ed to the PNPAnti-Cybercime Group or the National Telecommunications Commission.

Spam messages, phishing and other cyber crimes have proliferated in the recent months as fraudsters took advantage on the heavy reliance in digital payments during the pandemic.

are new conditions such as the conventions and also an element which involves a plan of action for the implementation of conventions so a reapplication is the best way to ensure that beneficiaries abide by the new proposed conditions for entering the GSP+,” she added.

Meanwhile, the country is urged anew to increase the utilization of the EU GSP+ utilization.

Luc Veron, EU ambassador and head of the EU delegation to the Philippines, said the country’s utilization rate of EU GSP+ preferences reached 75 percent in 2020.

“Over the last two years, while the economic system and international trade faced a lot of challenges due to the pandemic, we have seen the usefulness of GSP+ in sustaining the overall EU-Philippines trade in goods. That is why the EU works closely with its partner, the Philippines, and that is to make

sure that the potential trade benefit is maximized. For sure, if we work together, we can increase the utilization rate even closer to 100 percent and increase the overall value of Philippine exports to the EU,” he said.

Veron said agriculture goods, including processed foods and fishery products and manufactured goods, highly benefit from GSP+.

In a separate interview, Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., president of the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. (Philexport) said that at least 500 of their members are actively exporting to the European Union.

“The extension of the EU GSP+ and an EU FTA will augur well in developing and growing this supply chain and actual export performance,” he said. “We just need to address issues such as high shipping cost and raw material availability for more finished products to qualify.” (PR)

He added: “With our country moving towards recovery from the pandemic, San Miguel is investing in many regions all over the Philippines, to help build public infrastructure and economic growth centers.

We hope to do this in Balayan to help support the growth of your local economy and provide opportunities not just for people here, but also from all over Batangas,” Ang said.

Recently, the SMC completed construction on its new sports facility in Pasig, the SMC Sports Complex, designed for use by the company and its professional basketball teams in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), namely the San Miguel Beermen, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings, and Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok.

The SMC Sports Complex has three air-conditioned main basketball courts covering a total of 5,013 square meters.

It is currently being utilized for SMC’s COVID-19 employee vaccination activities.

A longtime sports patron,

Ang gave a total of P22 million in incentives to the Philippines’ Tokyo Olympics medal winners, including P10 million for the country’s first-ever Olympic gold medalist, weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz.

Ang awarded P5 million each to boxers Carlo Paalam and Nesthy Petecio for winning silver medals while he gave P2 million to Eumir Marcial for his bronze medal feat.

Aside from the cash incentives, Ang said SMC also provided Diaz and the three boxers with SMC businesses of their choice which they can put up in their respective home provinces.

SMC has also supported national teams in international events, including the Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games).

San Miguel backed the Philippine team that won 149 gold medals, 117 silvers, and 121 bronzes in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. During the 2005 Southeast Asian Games, SMC also supported the Philippine team that also won the overall championship with 112 golds, 85 silvers, and 93 bronzes.

erate employment and maybe we can looking at increasing VAT but remove them on items which comprise the bulk of the expenses of the poor, food and drinks, services, medicines,” he said.

Aid for the disadvantaged should also be improved such as the conditional cash transfer, feeding program, lifeline for water and electricity, fuel subsidy for public utility vehicles and education, Chua said.

“Butch” Ramirez.

Organizers moved the men’s training on Sunday to the afternoon session to give priority to the women athletes whose event comes on Monday.

Thus, Sunday morning was sort of a rest day for the Economics major at Westminster College in Salt Lake City and chilled off by listening to his favorite pop alter-

native music.

Another challenge for the organizers were the winds that got stronger on a different course over the weekend, forcing them to move the men’s downhill competition to another day.

But Kelly Miller said their side of the mountain were not affected by the wind.

“It’s not windy where we are,” he said. (PR)

who also leaped past 5.7 but needed two attempts to do so.

He missed out on a podium finish after failing to clear 5.81, giving the host country a reason to celebrate as Olen Zernikel took the bronze by jumping past the said height in just one move.

In a statement last week, PATAFA said it is moving on from Obiena’s decision to remove himself from its jurisdiction and compete on his own.

Obiena and the association have been locked in a dispute over money issues, with the former refusing mediation which he said PATAFA is using “as means to silence me and to keep the truth hidden”.

He will next compete in Uppsala, Sweden on February 9; Lodz, Poland on February 11; Lievin, France on February 17; and Torun, Poland on February 22. (PNA)

tax deficiency.

Meanwhile, Mayor Sara continues her “Mahalin Natin Ang Pilipinas” ride to different provinces in the country aiming to advocate patriotism and unity among Filipinos.

Platun Dos; Ariel Ochea Capin

alias Arjen, Leader of Platun Dos; Omar Talha Binongcasan alias Hydra, member of Squad 1, Ace Company; Reymund Jiminez Belarmino alias Saysay, member of Squad 1, Platun Dos; Jerson Sayana Ontihay alias Sawie, member of Squad 1, Platun Dos; and Niño Baliling Paluga alias Loyd, member of Squad 2, Platun Dos. They also yielded five high-powered firearms composed of two AK47 rifles and three M16 rifles with magazines and ammunitions.

This was immediately followed by the surrender of three CTG members who brought along an AK47 rifle, a Shotgun and a Garand rifle with scope to the troops of 901st Brigade’s 29th Infantry Battalion (IB) at Brgy Del Pilar, Cabadbaran City, Agusan del Norte on February 5.

They were identified as alias Zhia, the vice commanding officer and political instructor of Sandatahang Yunit Pampropaganda (SYP) 16B, GF16 of North Eastern Mindanao Regional Committee (NEMRC); a certain alias Jing who is Zhia’s father and a Milisyang Bayan (MB) member of SYP19B, GF19 of NEMRC; and alias Dondon, a member of SYP16A, GF16.

EastMinCom has also diminished further the armed capability of the CTG as the troops of 402nd Brigade’s 23rd IB seized four AK47 rifles, an M14 rifle, five anti-personnel mines, a rifle grenade, two 20-liter containers of assorted ammunitions, assorted medical supplies, personal belongings, subversive documents with intel value and other war materiel after an armed encounter transpired at Sitio Tud-ol, Barangay Tungao, Butuan City on February 4, which came after concerned citizens reported the presence of an armed group in the said area.

Another high-powered firearms recovered by the troops of 701st Brigade’s 67th IB and intel units, which contains an M14 rifle and two AK47 rifles with four empty magazines as a former leader of the dissolved GF North of SMRC revealed its location of arms cache at the hinterlands of Sitio Cogonon, Brgy Salvacion, Trento, Agusan del Sur on February 5.

Meanwhile, a troops of 10th Infantry Division’s 1002nd Brigade and 73rd IB also recovered an M16 rifle

and an AK47 rifle after the troops acted upon the revelation of former rebels on their location of arms cache at Brgy Malalan, Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental on February 3.

It can be recalled that LtGen. Almerol previously assessed that a snowball of surrender is possible as the CTG, particularly in the area of Bukidnon, is on the verge of collapse following the successive neutralization of its top ranking leaders such as Ka Oris, Ka Bok and Ka Gonyong who served as the pillars of their organization.

“Our troops will never stop pursuing the remaining CTGs until the terror they bring in the peace-loving Filipino communities in Eastern Mindanao are completely extinguished.

They have no other choice but to surrender or die away from their loved ones,” he said.

He also bared that the CTG’s continued decrease in manpower prompted its members to hide their firearms in caches which can be easily captured by the troops as former rebels divulge their location, while the continued support of civilians to the troops by serving as the eyes and ears in their community has contributed to successful encounters which led to the neutralization of communist terrorists and capture of their firearms.

“The civilians and former rebels, who now serve as our partners contributed a lot to our unprecedented accomplishments. Evident to this are the series of armed encounters, capture of CTG’s firearms, and the massive surrender which are results of timely reporting and the active support of the local chief executives. If this will continue in the coming days, we are very optimistic that we can achieve the goal of ending the local communist armed conflict by mid-year of 2022,” LtGen. Almerol expressed.

The EastMinCom Commander also welcomed the peaceful surrender of CTG leaders and members and called upon their remaining comrades to “emulate the example of those who have already chosen the path of peace by embracing the government’s sincere offer through the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) to start a new life with your loved ones.”

only transact using official channels to avoid becoming victims to scams, it said. Illegal activities can be reported to its official spam complaint site, the tampered modems report page or through Globe’s hotline.

Cybercriminal activities, spam calls, messages or fake promotions can also be reportprises or (CREATE) were part of the reforms.

The government can also focus on attracting investments to generate more jobs or possible increases in value-added tax (VAT) for items not included in the expenses of the poor, said Makati Business Club Chairman Edgar Chua.

“I don’t think wealth tax is the way to go. What we need to do is increase the size of the pie. Attract investments, gen-

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final stages of ROW and site acquisition. We have sent already notices of taking about 88 percent in Digos City and 100 percent in Tagum City. Those are already substantial numbers,” Zozobrado said.

Currently, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has yet to rule on the petition to disqualify Marcos over his failure to file income tax returns and alleged failure to pay the corresponding

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Davao de Oro Province-The Provincial Government of Davao de Oro through its “Bayanihan sa Paaralan” program officially kicked off the soon to rise school building worth PHP2.5 million in Sitio Cambudlot, Barangay San Miguel, Compostela on February 3, 2022.

A one (1) unit, two (2) classroom building has a 171.77 square meter floor area constructed using the 20% Development Funds of the province and estimated to be completed after 20 to 30 days. The local government hired two licensed teachers to facilitate the classes.

In a statement, Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy said that more schools will be built in sitios to address the problem of lack of schools in far-flung areas and provide a quality of education to the children.

“Kami sa gobyerno, we will not stop until ang mga lagyung sitio sa probinsya matukoran natog skwelahan aron mahatagan natog taas og kalidad nga edukasyon ang mga kabatan-onan”, Uy said.

Barangay Captain Joel S. Balili expressed gratitude to the government for bringing development projects to their area despite its remote location and distance from town

proper.

Marife Gumera, 31, is grateful for the construction of a school building operated by the Department of Education (DepEd) where one of her children can benefit from it.

“Karon nasinati namo nga wala mi gipasagdan sa gobyerno, daghan kaayong salamat nga gitukoran namig skwelahan diriang dapita kay dako kining tabang sa among mga myembro og kabataan nga dili na kami magkalisod pag-adto sa layo nga skwelahan kay naa na dinhi sa duol og masiguro namo ang maayong kaugmaon sa among mga anak”, Gumera said.

Last January 14, 2022, a Salugpongan Ta’ Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center was demolished in the area through a resolution filed by the IP community after expressing concern that the Salugpongan might teach its young generation to revolt against the government.

Present during the ceremony were Mayor Lema Bolo, Vice-Mayor Levi Ebdao, SGOD Chief Ruben Reponte, RPSB of Philippine National Police, teachers from DepEd, municipal and barangay officials, and volunteer employees of the provincial government.

(Rheafe Hortizano - PAO-IPRD, Photos by Jonie Cadiz)

tional elections kung kailan inilabas ang poster?” he said.

Topacio also questioned why is it that before President Rodrigo Duterte became president, there were no accusations like this against Quiboloy.

“It was only in 2016 na nag umpisa itong kung ano anong mga trumped-up charges na inihahain laban kay Pastor Quiboloy,” he added.

In November last year, Quiboloy and the leaders of KJC were charged for conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and

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Suerte, who was the second overall pick in the special round of the 2019 PBA Rookie Draft by the Bossing, inked a two-year contract after spending the past two years with the national team program.

Former UM standout Suerte signs up with Blackwater

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abawenyo cager Rey Suerte has signed up with Blackwater Bossing in the PBA.

The Bossing locked up two key players to two-year deals on Monday afternoon.

Suerte, who was the second overall pick in the special round of the 2019 PBA Rookie Draft by the Bossing, inked a two-year contract after spending the past two years with the national team program.

The 27-year-old former University of Mindanao standout played two games for Gilas Pilipinas in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, putting up 6.5 points, 2.5 assists, and 2 rebounds per game against Thailand in November 2020.

He was named captain

for the Philippines’ campaign in the June 2021 window in Clark, Pampanga, but ultimately missed their games against South Korea and Indonesia due to injury.

Suerte’s deal with Blackwater was made possible after he and his fellow Gilas draftees were released by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. Other members of the 2019 Gilas draft are Isaac Go, Matt and Mike Nieto, and Allyn Bulanadi.

Meanwhile, Richard Escoto was signed to a twoyear deal by Blackwater, also on Monday.

Escoto has appeared in five games for the Bossing in the Governors’ Cup, making three starts. He currently averages 7.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per game for the team.

The pair was accompanied by player agent Marvin Espiritu in their contract signing.

‘Distracted’ Obiena still finishes strong

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EJ Obiena cleared 5.7 meters in his first try to take the tiebreaker over Bo Kanda Lita Baehre of Germany and Piotr Lisek of Poland, who also leaped past 5.7 but needed two attempts to do so.

orld No. 6 pole vaulter EJ Obiena finished fourth at the ISTAF Indoor Berlin event in Germany on Saturday, amid his row with the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA) and after a knee surgery last month.

The eight-man final field included world record holder and Olympic champion Mondo Duplantis, who took the gold with a 6.03-meter clearance.

American KC Lightfoot came in second at 5.92.

Obiena cleared 5.7 meters in his first try to take the tiebreaker over Bo Kanda Lita Baehre of Germany and Piotr Lisek of Poland,

F’DISTRACTED’, P10

Asa training smoothly before plunging to action

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ANQING, China – Asa Miller completed another full routine of training on Sunday— his fifth since arriving here a week ago—and believed he had adjusted to the Chinese snow.

“Today’s training was good,” said the 21-yearold Miller, now on his second consecutive Winter Games but is competing by his lonesome this time unlike in Pyeongchang four years ago when he was with figure skater Michael Martinez.

Stockier this time in his 5-foot-8 frame, the demands of alpine skiing takes toll on all athletes— and Miller’s no exception.

“No soreness and less pain this time,” said Miller whose dad Kelly constantly monitored his routine at the National Alpine Skiing Centre on Xiaohaituo Mountain.

“His fifth day [training] was good. He had a few good training runs,” said Kelly Miller after father and son descended from the glacier.

Beijing’s challenged by the lack of snow espe-

cially in the alpine skiing venue and organizers had to pump snow from snowmaking equipment. A wires story described the process as spraying atomized water into the air along with mechanically created nucleators—tiny ice crystals—that act as seeds for the manufactured snowflakes.

The Portland-based Asa Miller will compete in the men’s giant slalom starting at 10 a.m. on Feb. 13 and will return three days later for the slalom also at 10 a.m.

Miller took the day’s off last Friday to rest his muscles and attend the opening ceremony in Beijing. But while at the Olympic Village here, he still conditions his muscles in the gym.

“I still train at the village, focusing mostly on my legs, core strength and stability,” said Miller, whose training, preparation and participation in Beijing are fully supported by the Philippine Sports Commission headed by chairman William

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12 SPORTS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL.14 ISSUE 273 • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2022

SMC President Ramon Ang said the P50-million sports center project in Balayan, Batangas is part of SMC’s commitment to help develop homegrown athletes who can compete in local and international sports competitions.

BUILDING DREAMS

SMC to build P50 million sports center

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an Miguel Corporation (SMC) will build a P50-million sports center in Balayan, Batangas as part of its commitment to help develop homegrown athletes who can compete in local and international sports competitions, as well as promote health and wellness in the town and throughout the province of Batangas.

This was announced recently by SMC President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon S. Ang, during the formal opening of the new Balayan municipal building and government complex, where he was also declared an adopted son of Balayan.

Ang said that the commitment to build a sports facility lines up with the local government’s post-pandemic recovery plans, which includes promoting health and wellness through a public sports facility within its sprawling government complex.

“With a growing majority of Filipinos getting protected against COVID-19 through vaccination, there should be greater emphasis on health and fitness for the public in the coming years. Through this sports center, which will be part of our company’s overall support for sports development, we hope to get more Balayan residents involved in sports,” Ang said.

Ang pointed out that a number of the country’s more prominent athletes are from the province. Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ LA Tenorio and former Ateneo volleyball star Alyssa Valdez are from Nasugbu and San Juan in Batangas, respectively.

Throughout the pandemic, the company invested significantly to put up its own RT-PCR testing laboratory to provide free testing for its employees. The compa-

ny also launched a nationwide employee vaccination program, dubbed Ligtas Lahat, to protect it 70,000-strong nationwide workforce.

Balayan Mayor Emmanuel Salvador Fronda II declared Ang an adopted son of Balayan, highlighting the businessman-philathropist’s significant role in the socio-economic growth and progress of the town.

“Mr. Ang has been extending enormous support to the various socio-economic development projects of the local government, which address social challenges and champion environmental stewardship, community and enterprise development, education, health, disaster management, and volunteerism, for the benefit and well-being of Balayenos,” Fronda said.

He added: “Drawing inspiration from his acts of generosity--which bring great impact to the community at large by uplifting the lives of the people and raising their standard of living-we deem it proper to issue the order to declare Mr. Ang as an adopted son of Balayan.”

“Balayan has always been my second home. A lot of people here are like family to me. That is why I will always try to do my part to help the town develop and progress,“ he said.

FBUILDING, P10