Edge10 issue173 November 30, 2017

VOL. 10 ISSUE 173 164 • THURSDAY, FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER NOVEMBER 30, 201717-18, 2017

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Serving a seamless society

FOR THE BOOKS. The sixth edition of the ASEAN Jamboree breaks the previous record for the most-attended scouting event in the history of the scouting movement in the ASEAN region as 29,753 delegates from 13 different countries are participating in the event being held in Tagum City. Leo Timogan/CIO Tagum

UP FOR GRABS

Demand for office spaces shoots up to 88% Exploring Flavours T

By JUDIE VEGA

he demand for office spaces in Davao has been averaging by 88% as of the third quarter of 2017, according to real estate service and consultancy firm Prime Philippines.

In a study, Prime Philippines concluded that the current setting of the of�ice space market in Davao makes it an ideal investment spot for of�ice leasing.

“Davao City is high-

ly-skilled labor market, extensive infrastructure network, and its competitive ranking is the key factors that make it a viable investment for of�ice expansion and the of�ice leasing business in proportion,”

said Raphil D. Saguan, associate for capital markets and investments.

He added that the developments within the city will increase the demand for of�ice spaces. This rise in the of�ice space and other upcoming key factors will give investors and developers a foothold in the of�ice space industry.

Saguan said that 88% of of�ice spaces in Davao City are occupied by different in-

dustries such as the business process outsourcing, professional services, and general services�irms.

“Among the commercial districts of Davao City, the Poblacion area has the fastest take up at 95%. The Lanang-Bajada area and the Matina area, on the other hand, have 93% and 77% take-up rates respectively, “he said.

Ruth Coyoca, senior asso-

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2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 173 •THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

TIME OUT FOR LABOR. President Rodrigo Duterte is welcomed by Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III to the 2nd Philippine Construction Congress at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Tuesday. The President was only scheduled to attend the Anti-Corruption Summit

Permits ruled out to convey paputok

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

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he Police Regional Of�ice 11- Regional Civil Security Unit (PRO 11 –RCSU) will not issue permits to transport �irecrackers passing Davao City to traders.

This was bared by RCSU 11 chief Supt. Cydric Earl Tamayo during the AFP-PNP Press Corps brie�ing at the Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday.

Tamayo said the city has an existing ordinance banning �irecrackers and the local government has the right to strictly implement it within its territory.

“They have to follow it because it’s prohibited in Davao City,” he said.

He said the �irecracker traders already know the

PERMITS, P10

Higher power rates seen this November

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ustained uptick in oil prices is seen to result in further price increases this November at a range of 2.9 to 3.6 percent, the central bank estimated Wednesday.

In a statement, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said it’s Department of Economic Research has considered the higher oil prices to push electricity rates in areas being serviced by the Manila Electric Company.

This upward risk, it said, “could be partly offset by the slightly stronger peso for the

month.”

“Average in�lation is expected to remain within the national government’s target range of 3.0 percent +/- percentage point for 2017,” it added.

Last October, in�lation rose to 3.5 percent from month-ago’s 3.4 percent, resulting in a 3.2-percent average in the �irst 10 months of 2017.

The central bank’s policy-making Monetary Board (MB) eyes average in�lation this year of 3.2 percent. (PNA)

2017: ‘Breaking Chains of Corruption 2017’ yet he decided to grace the construction congress. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Caravan to drum up gun license renewal

By ANGIE SAVERON

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renew their licenses without dif�iculties.

“But in spite of this effort, most gun holders did not show up at the caravans,” said P/Supt Cydric Earl Tamayo, chief of the Regional Civil

Security Unit as guest of the AFP-PNP press conference on Wednesday.

He said his of�ice is considerate in allowing people to take their time in renewing their licenses.

He said Oplan Katok was also being conducted to inform gun holders to renew their licenses, to avoid being the object of future search warrants.

He admitted that stringent requirements in applying for LTOPF is one reason why only

few people are securing one.

Since the implementation of Republic Act 1059, also known as Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, the number of un-renewed �irearms went up because of the 11 requirements needed to apply for LTOPF. “Dati �irearms license card lang wala yung LTOPF yung picture na pinapasa mali-mali, iba yung picture iba yung pangalan so there were

PHP35.36 million.

The complaints include falsi�ication of public documents, violation of Republic Act 6713 or the “Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Of�icials and Employees”, RA 3019 or the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act”, and RA 1379 or “forfeiture of properties” in favor of the Philippine

government against Garbo and his wife, Atty. Rosalinda Garbo.

After a probe conducted from December 2016 to October 2017, the NBI concluded that the Garbo couple amassed assets way beyond their legitimate income and for non-declaration of certain assets such as various vehicles and shares of stocks in his Statement of As-

sets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) from 2005 to 2015.

Among the alleged undeclared assets were golf club shares worth PHP1.1 million and vehicles such as Hyundai Sta. Fe, Toyota Hiace Grandia and Kia Sportage.

Likewise, the NBI has recommended to the Department

he Regional Civil Security Unit revealed it has conducted two caravans in each province in the region to remind gun holders to renew their renewal of license to own and possess firearm (LTOPF).

They were joined by representatives of the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, Regional Trial Courts and other pertinent government agencies to encourage gun holders to

CARAVAN, P10

NBI files raps versus ex-PNP general, wife

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he National Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday �iled criminal charges before the Of�ice of the Ombudsman (Ombudsman) against retired police Gen. Marcelo Garbo, Jr., whom President Rodrigo Roa Duterte implicated in the illegal drug trade, and his wife for alleged ill-gotten wealth amounting to

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 173 •THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

NEWS 3

EDGEDAVAO

Priest held captive in Marawi welcomed back by townmates

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r. Teresito “Chito” Soganub was feted a warm welcome by his townmates here Tuesday after surviving a 116-day ordeal in the hands of the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group in Marawi City.

Clad in all-black slacks, long sleeves and a hat, the 57-year-old priest was paraded around the poblacion area in a motorcade organized by the local government unit.

Residents along the route of the motorcade went out of their houses and stores to

see and to take pictures of their bearded townmate who smiled and waved to them in return.

An estimated 500 residents, including students of private and public schools in the bucolic town, gathered at an open gymnasium where the priest detailed his ordeal that began on May 23 after the Maute Group abducted him and �ive others from the Catholic church compound.

Soganub arrived from Manila on Monday but proceeded

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IRR of customs modernization law fleshed out in about 42 BOC orders

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he implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA) will be contained in about 42 Customs Administrative Orders (CAOs) that the government plans to complete by 2018, according to the Department of Finance (DOF).

Finance Undersecretary Antonette Tionko, who heads the DOF’s Revenue Operations Group, said that 42 draft CAOs have already been posted in the CMTA microsite www.dof.gov. ph/cmta_irr, with eight already signed.

She said some of these CAOs may end up being consolidated or some of them may be broken down into separate customs administrative or memorandum orders.

The voluminous text of the CMTA, which runs to about 200 pages, had prompted the DOF to issue the IRRs through CAOs issued by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) on a per-topic

basis.

Public consultations have been conducted on the CMTA by the BOC and the draft CAOs have been uploaded in the CMTA microsite, which can be accessed through the DOF website, to enable all stakeholders involved to comment and provide their inputs online.

“We did it online so people outside Manila can comment.

It’s a good process,” Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said.

Among CAOs already issued by the BOC involve the establishment of the Authorized Economic Operators Program (CAO 5-2017), the clearance of postal items (CAO 3-2017), customs clearance of accompanied and unaccompanied baggage of travelers and crew (CAO 01-2017), conditionally tax- and/or duty-exempt importation of returning residents and overseas Filipino workers (CAO 06-2016), con-

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LOOSE GUNS. Regional Civil Security Unit 11 (RCSU 11) head Superintendent Cydric Earl Tamayo (right) bares that there is a total of 11,011 un-renewed License to Own and Possess Firearm (LTOPF) in the region from 1980 to 2017 during the AFP-PNP Press Corps media

forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel on Wednesday. Also in photo is Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Senior Inspector Ma.Teresita Gaspan. Angie Saveron

he Davao City Police Office has ordered all police station commanders to prepare for the possible return of anti-illegal drugs campaign to the Philippine National Police from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

station commanders to prepare again the previous cases for their future operations.

“The case build-ups are still pending but we gave it to PDEA and these targets are not yet arrested until now that’s why will follow them as soon as the campaign will be given back to us, ” she said.

Gaspan said PDEA enforcers are still successful in arresting illegal drug suspects despite the lack of operatives. But, she said it is dif-

Be ready for war versus drugs, Davao cops told T This after President Rodrigo Duterte said he was thinking of returning the task to curb illegal drugs to the police.

DCPO spokesperson Sr. Insp. Maria Teresita Gazpan on Tuesday said DCPO director Sr. Supt. Alexander Tagum already ordered all

Philippines National Weight Loss Challenge during the routine check at the lobby of Sangguniang Panlungsod on Tuesday. Lean Daval Jr.

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14 NPAs killed, one held in Batangas clash

F WEIGHT MONITORING. A city government of Davao employee’s weight is measured three months after the launching of the Fit-

ferent when the PNP is part of the campaign.

“The PDEA gets big accomplishments but unlike the PNP, we can make many operations in a day. We can make three to four operations in a place per day,” she said.

She said although the PNP arrested small-time drug suspects, it still helps the campaign of Duterte on eradicating illegal drugs in

ourteen New People’s Army rebels were killed while one was wounded and captured during military operations in Nasugbu town, Batangas Tuesday night.

The incident also resulted in the slight wounding of three troopers who now in stable condition.

In an interview, Major Mikko Magisa, 202nd Infantry Brigade executive of�icer, said the series of encounters between between the Air Force’s 730th Combat, police and various military units took place at Barangays Aga and Kaylaway took place around 8:20 p.m.

The �ire�ight lasted for around 20 to 40 minutes.

He added that the encounter was “intelligence driven”

and stemmed from the Nov. 20 operation in Barangay Utod which earlier resulted in the capture of a NPA base and undetermined rebel casualties last Nov. 20.

Magisa said the seized NPA encampment is capable of housing and training a signi�icant number of rebels.

All of the bodies of the NPA dead were recovered by troops along with 12 high-powered �irearms which consists of 10 M-16 automatic ri�les, an M-16 automatic ri�le �itted with a M-203 grenade launcher and an M-79.

Nine of the slain rebels were male while �ive were female, Magisa added.

While the wounded rebel

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EDGEDAVAO

4 ECONOMY

VOL. 10 ISSUE 173 •THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

Vice Ganda to help push new cosmetics

By JUDIEE VEGA

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quite refreshing take on beauty comes in the form of Vice Cosmetics; the newest make-up line created by the all-time phenomenal star, Vice Ganda will be available soon at Watsons SM City Department Stores.

“We believe everyone deserves to look and feel beautiful no matter the age, gender nor shape. That’s why Vice Cosmetics makes the finest cosmetics accessible to all,” Creole David, Vice Co. marketing manager.

David said that #GandaForAll is a slogan that captures what Vice Cosmetics is all aboutGandangkavogue, gandangphenom, gandangkering-keri, all kinds of pretty.

David explained during interview that Vice Ganda wanted the madalang people to make beautiful and feel beautiful since it is ganda for all the price should be affordable.

David said that Vice Cosmetics is already a PETA-certified cruelty-free and paraben-free brand debuts with two promising collections, with interesting and playful shade names given by the creative force behind it, none other than Vice Ganda.

“Cruelty free make up, make sure that the products can stand on its own and it is so good quality and PETAcertification was approved last August 2017 in US, the formulation is suited for Filipinos, we

like thing like matte that is not heavy when you applied and where your comfortable, ” she said.

David said that both collections guarantee a wide array of colors ranging from elegant nudes to bold burgundies.

“Our product has its personality, every lipstick has its own shade name for example pakganern because it’s only Vice ganda, it’s not a number shades like other brand,” she said.

David said they have their online website which customer can purchase any Vice cosmetics but unfortunately it was crashed due to high demands of orders.

“Here in Davao City we expected to launch the eight matte good vibes collection comprised of high-quality matte lipsticks that keep your lips hydrated with Vitamin E. They are creamy and highly pigmented lipstick collection that goes on matte without drying your lips, with fun shade names like Ganderz, Pak Ganern and Kavogue— all of which are lightweight and comfortable to wear for your daily dose of good vibes.

Each Good Vibes lipstick is affordably priced at P195 and eight phenomenal lip kit consists of a liquid lipstick with a beautiful modern matte finish that is creamy yet long-wearing. Paired with the Smooth

BUILDING FRENZY. An ironworker works on the metal structure of a mid-rise condominium building along J.P. Laurel Avenue in Davao City on Wednesday. Davao City’s construction boom is expected

Sumitomo picked to maintain MRT As provider by end of 2017

5 industries push T single ID system

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ive industries are pushing for various regulations, including implementing single business identification system, in a bid to make it easier to do business in the country.

These are chemicals, housing, logistics, power and public transportation industries which are participating in the Modernizing Government Regulations (MGR) program.

MGR is a comprehensive national regulatory reform program being implemented by the Development Academy of the Philippines, in cooperation with the National Economic and Development Authority.

Arnel Abanto, head of DAP’s Center for Productivity and Development, said these sectors are submitting the same documentary requirement to multiple agencies as proof of business registration, and multiple copies to a single agency.

“MGR suggests using a single business ID that can be authenticated easily, in lieu of submitting Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registration, articles of incorporation, constitution and by-laws

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and business profile,” he said during the MGR public forum Tuesday.

Apart from the single ID system, Abanto said these industries also recommended the need to develop an online inter-agency information system or database through which the “business information can be shared, accessed and/or obtained for assessment and verification of requirements.”

He said they also pushed for the strengthening of the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA) and the creation of regulatory reform oversight body.

Abanto added the oversight body will administer and coordinate with regulatory agencies in rationalizing the relevance of potential and existing regulations.

“If there is no oversight body that looks into delivery of these regulatory functions, these are what we are experiencing now –the accumulation of so many regulations and the quality of regulations. We have seen regulatory failures in recent past,” he said in an interview.(PNA)

to continue its upswing trend as major real estate developers from Manila and Cebu will start their projects in the city early next year.

Lean Daval Jr.

he Department of Transportation is set to sign an agreement with Sumitomo Corporation and its technical partner Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the maintenance of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) railway system by the end of the year.

The DOTr said the maintenance deal would be pursued through an Official Development Assistance (ODA) from the Government of Japan.

“High-level discussions with the Government of Japan are ongoing to pave the way for DOTr’s direct engagement of Sumitomo Corporation and its technical partner Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, under a Government to Government (G2G) Official Development As-

sistance (ODA) platform. A G2G agreement is scheduled to be signed before yearend,” the department said in a statement Wednesday.

The contract which will include the rehabilitation and restoration of the railway system to its original performance standards is expected to last for three years.

DOTr has created a Maintenance Transition Team that has taken over the maintenance of the MRT for three to six months while it

is in the process of procuring a new maintenance service provider following the termination of the previous maintenance contract with Busan Universal Rail Inc. (BURI) last November 6 due to various issues.

The department particularly cited BURI’s failure to overhaul MRT-3’s train cars in compliance with the maintenance contract as only two out of 43 train cars have been overhauled as of November 21.

These failures resulted to several incidents of passenger unloading and train removal for the duration of BURI’s maintenance of the MRT which started January 2016.

“BURI’s termination is intended to promote accountability, and to ensure that taxpayers’ money (PHP

54 million a month for maintenance and PHP 907 million for the overhaul) is not spent on a non-performing service provider,” DOTr explained.

The MTT has hired over 450 former employees of BURI that are essential for the maintenance of the MRT while the Light Rail Transit Authority and the Philippine National Railways have provided their qualified and experienced technical engineers.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has created the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) that will expedite the procurement of some critical rehabilitation services and spare parts.

The department is also pursuing an unsolicited pro-

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Higher tobacco tax expected in TRAIN

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lawmaker has expressed hope that his proposal to include an increase in tobacco tax would be included in the second tax reform package or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) bill.

“I will be pursuing that it (increase in tobacco tax) be included in the package 2 because it has been proven

that even if you increase the tax, people will still continue smoking,” Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito said in an interview.

Ejercito, chair of the Senate Committee on Health, made this remark after the Senate version of the TRAIN bill package 1 was passed on third and final reading Tuesday night.

He said that he really wanted tobacco tax to be seen as a health measure and not just a source of revenue.

In an earlier interview, Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means in charge of leading deliberations on TRAIN said that two senators -- Ejercito and Manny Pacquiao -- have both moved for

the inclusion of an increase in tobacco tax.

Unfortunately, Angara said that it was too late to include the proposals made

by Ejercito and Pacquiao as among topics to be discussed during hearings last week.

Angara said that for him, it was best to wait until the total 2017 collections from tobacco

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EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 173 •THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

ECONOMY 5

BOI okays P1.13-B PH tourism projects T he Board of Investments has approved three tourism projects worth PHP1.13 billion.

Hotel and resort projects of Ayala Land Hotels and Resorts Corp., UC-1 Corp., and 888 Subic, Inc. got BOI’s nod under Special Law List on Tourism Facilities in the 2017 Investment Priorities Plan (IPP).

Ayala Land Hotel and Resort’s PHP661.9-million Seda Capitol Central in Bacolod City, the firm’s seventh Seda brand hotel, will receive tax and other incentives under the IPP. The eight-storey hotel with 154 guestrooms is only 20 minutes away from Bacolod-Silay International Airport. It is expected to start operation by January 2018 with 147 personnel..

UC-1’s PHP267-million Seven Seas Waterpark Resort , which is sprawled in a nine-hectare land in Misamis Oriental, will also receive tax perks. It started its commercial operation last month with 176 employees.

The resort can accommo-

date up to 2,000 visitors per day.

UC-1 targets to receive 280,000 tourists annually.

Likewise, 881 Subic’s PHP197-million Central Park Reef Resort in Olongapo also got BOI’s approval.

The six-storey beachfront resort has 110 guestrooms and will open in June 2018 with 64 personnel.

“The recent launching of the tourism roadmaps under the Hotel and Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) shows we remain committed in collaborating with industry stakeholders to boost tourism in the country,” said Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said.

“That is why we will pursue a proactive and targeted approach to address the challenges of tourism in partnership with the relevant associations, academe and other government agencies. We can build on the competitiveness of this industry and compete with the rest of our ASEAN neighbors,” Rodolfo added. (PNA)

EVER-RISING DEMAND. Prime Philippines capital markets and investments associate Raphil Saguan, together with commercial leasing senior assistant manager Ruth Coyoca (center) and commercial leasing associate Hannah Yoshida, shares the status of office/

commercial space leasing in Davao City and the factors affecting the sector during Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape at Abreeza Mall in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr.

Biz opti mism CLI eyes P1.7-B profit for 2018 up for Q4 ‘17 L

isted property developer Cebu Landmasters Inc. aims to hit PHP1.7- billion profit by 2018, about 42 percent higher than this year’s projected level, as it launches more projects in the Visayas and Mindanao.

In a briefing, Jose Franco Soberano, CLI Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, said the company also targets revenue of PHP5.3 billion in 2018, up 47 percent from this year’s estimated PHP3.6 billion.

Soberano said the firm would introduce to the market next year 20 new developments, which include residential subdivisions and condominiums, offices, industrial park, hotel and central business district located

in Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Davao and Cagayan de Oro. “Growth will (also) be driven by the company’s ongoing projects, which will be completed in 2018,” he added.

CLI fortifies its footprint in Visayas and Mindanao by purchasing lands in strategic locations like Davao, Bacolod, Mandaue, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo and Dumaguete.

Earlier this year, CLI launched PHP8 billion worth of projects strengthening its presence in Cebu, Davao while expanding its garden series to Bacolod and by introducing residential subdivision to Dumaguete.

The company is bullish on achieving the PHP1.2 billion net income target for 2017. (PNA)

Due to brisk business during holidays

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ptimism of Filipino businessmen for the fourth quarter of 2017 rose to 43.3 percent from quarter-ago’s 37.9 percent due in part to the expected brisk business during the holiday season.

Results of Business Expectations Survey (BES) done by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) from October 2 to November 20 this year and participated in by about 1,473 firms nationwide, showed that the positive outlook for the last quarter this year is also traced to expansion of businesses.

BSP Department of Economic Statistics Director Rosa-

bel Guerrero said in a briefing Tuesday that firms are more optimistic for the Q4 2017 as domestic demand is expected to increase during the Christmas holidays.

Other local factors that boosted businesses’ expectations include increasing number and expansion of businesses, higher disbursements for government’s infrastructure

and other development projects, and favorable macroeconomic conditions.

Expansion of the exports market likewise improved outlook for businesses.

BSP Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo also noted that among types of business, exporters are the most optimistic for Q4 2014.

Guinigundo said positive outlook of exporters is driven by peso depreciation, which means higher revenues for them.

“We also note that because of the depreciation of peso, the exporters are also happy. If we look at the distribution of the sentiments, exporters are very

happy on the weakening of the peso,” he added.

Confidence index of exporters for Q4 2017 stood at 50 percent, higher than importers at 43.8 percent, both importers and exporters at 33 percent, and domestic-oriented enterprises at 49.6 percent.

“For the quarter ahead, Q1 2018, business outlook turned less optimistic, with the next quarter confidence index declining to 39.7 percent from 51.3 percent in the previous quarter’s survey results,” Guerrero said, on the other hand.

“Respondents attributed their less positive outlook main-

ate for approving its version of TRAIN on third and final reading, Dominguez expressed hopes that both chambers could wrap up bicameral deliberations on the first of the government’s five tax reform packages in time for the submission of the final version to President Duterte by December--so that a new law to this effect could be signed and implemented as scheduled by January 2018.

Dominguez said “the

Senate’s timely approval of its TRAIN version moves the government one big step closer to overhauling the tax system for the first time in two decades with the primary benefit going to 99 percent of the country’s taxpayers who are to get higher take-home pay as a result of substantial cuts in their personal income tax rates or-better yet--outright exemption from income taxation.”

The Senate on Tues-

day night voted 17-1 to pass the TRAIN on final reading.

Senate Bill (SB) No. 1592, the chamber’s version of the TRAIN, was sponsored by Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, who chairs the Senate ways and means committee.

According to Angara, “under the Senate-approved tax reform package, 60 percent of the incremental revenues will go to infrastructure programs,

BFAR to develop RP’s eel industry Senate thanked for its passing TRAIN version

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echnical experts from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and other concerned agencies met here Monday to formulate a plan to develop the country’s eel industry.

National Eel Focal Person, Dr. Evelyn Ame, concurrent chief of the Training Division of BFAR’s office in Cagayan Valley, said the proposed interventions focused on the sustainable use and conservation of eel resources.

Ame said that Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol had committed a PHP20-million fund for the development of the eel industry.

The plan focuses on the development of studies on culture of eel (Anguilla spp.), nursery grow-out, feed formulation and farming systems, as well as the formation of fisher folk associations or cooperatives to enable eel fishers to have better leverage on

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inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said the government is now one big step closer to reforming the country’s tax system for the first time in over two decades-and providing a steady revenue stream to its ambitious infrastructure buildup--with the Senate’s approval of its version of the proposed Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN).

Thanking the Sen-

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SENATE, P12

6 SUBURBIA RISING EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 173 •THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

Peace monitors sign accord v. terror, drugs

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An islet in the anti-mining town of Bacuag in Surigao del Norte has become the latest tourist attraction in the province after the local government unit installed a hanging bridge that connects the

mainland to the islet. Visitors can enjoy zip lines and water sports amenities. The islet is part of a marine sanctuary. MindaNews photo

by ROEL N. CATOTO

eace monitors working under the Malaysian-led International Monitoring Team (IMT) inked Tuesday with Philippine military counterparts here their willingness to share and tackle information leading to the eradication of terrorism and illegal drugs, which they described as evolving “spoilers of peace.”

“Based on our monitoring, the problem on terrorism and illegal drugs have cropped up as main threats to the peace process in Mindanao,” Malaysian Maj. Gen. Datuk Masrani bin Paiman, told reporters here in a press conference.

He said as the Philippine government had been steadily addressing the issues of poverty and illiteracy in Muslim-dominated areas of Mindanao, particularly in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, terror

groups such as the Maute and Abu Sayyaf had been using illegal drugs to finance their nefarious recruitment activities.

The IMT, a third neutral party activated in 2004, is primarily tasked to oversee the implementation of peace process between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the largest Moro rebel group in Mindanao.

The team, which has maintained its main headquarters in this city, has nearly 100 combined members from Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Japan, Libya, Norway, and the European Union scattered in various parts of Mindanao.

In a statement, the IMT said it joins the GPH-MILF Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities and Ad-Hoc Joint Action Group on working

GenSan pushes ban on open burning, use of plastics T

he General Santos city government is pushing for the full implementation of the ban on open burning and a local ordinance that regulates the use of plastic bags and expanded polystyrene food services containers.

This, as the local government has activated a technical working group (TWG) that will spearhead city-wide awareness campaigns on the targeted rollout of the regulatory measures starting next year.

Teresa Naranjo, TWG member, said Wednesday they had set a series of campaigns to help raise awareness and promote proper compliance

among local residents and concerned establishments in the city.

She said they had partnered with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) for the awareness drive, which would focus on the negative impact of open burning and the use of plastic bags and related materials.

The campaign would kick

SoCot police, fire units get new vehicles, equipment

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he provincial government of South Cotabato turned over on Wednesday some P4.4 million worth of patrol vehicles and rescue equipment to the local police.

South Cotabato Gov. Daisy Avance-Fuentes said the new vehicles and equipment were among the grants lined up by the local government this year to enhance the capability of police units and fire stations in the province.

She said these were earlier requested by the South Cotabato Provincial Police Office and the Bureau of Fire Protection-South Cotabato.

“These are part of the support packages that we have

committed to help improve their operations,” Fuentes said.

The governor said they comprised of a police patrol vehicle worth P2.3 million, a van-type ambulance worth P2 million and four self-contained breathing apparatus worth P147,500.

The patrol vehicle was turned over to the South Cotabato police and the rescue vehicle to the BPF station in Surallah town.

A breathing apparatus is a device worn by rescue workers, firefighters, and others concerned to provide breathable air in an “immediately dangerous to life or health atmosphere.”

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off on Dec. 10 with an “Awareness Fun Run to Stop Open Burning” that would be led by city officials and personnel, she said.

She said the city government would also formally launch Ordinance No. 03 or the “Ordinance Regulating the Use of Plastic Bags and Expanded Polystyrene Food Service Containers in the City of General Santos.”

The ordinance, which was passed in 2014, prohibits the use of plastic bags as packaging materials for dry goods and regulates its use on wet goods.

It also bans the use of expanded polystyrene or styrofoam and other similar materials as containers for food and products.

Business establishments and individuals are prohibited from “using, selling and providing plastic bags to consumers as secondary packaging materials on wet goods; using, selling and providing plastic bags to consumers as pack-

aging material on dry goods; and, using, selling and providing styrofoam/styrophor as food service containers,” it said.

Violators could face a fine of P5,000 and possible revocation of business permit to operate for businesses as well as one year imprisonment at the discretion of the court.

“Some 800 enforcers will be deputized by Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera on Dec. 10,” Naranjo said in a statement.

She said each of the city’s 26 barangays would have at least 20 deputized enforcers.

Local shopping malls,

groceries, public markets, and other business establishments in the city have expressed support to the implementation of Ordinance No. 03, she said.

As part of the campaign, Naranjo said they would hold a one-day seminar workshop on Dec. 11 on the new integrated solid waste management program of the city.

On Dec. 12, she said the city government, Environment Management Bureau and UNIDO would unveil the central materials recovery and composting facility at the city sanitary landfill site in Barangay Sinawal.(PNA)

body has issued a Writ of Execution, which was deemed final and executory, dated November 16, 2017 signed by Atty. Christian Robert Lim, the Comelec Acting Chairperson.

Lawyer Stephen Roy Cañete, first district election

officer, on Tuesday served the writ to Mariano during the City Council’s regular session.

It stated that the Comelec First Division has disqualified Mariano on November 23, 2016, after four of his colleagues and four other losing candi-

dates in the 2016 elections filed a disqualification case against him.

The petitioners cited that Mariano is disqualified from seeking and holding an elective position as he was found guilty

Comelec unseats Zamboanga City councilor

C

ouncilor Charlie Mariano of this city’s first district stepped down from office after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has affirmed in finality his disqualification.

This developed as the poll

COMELEC, P12

3 nabbed in anti-drug op: P2.5-M shabu seized

A

nti-narcotics personnel arrested in a buy-bust operation here Tuesday two men and a woman with PhP2.5-million worth of illegal substance called “shabu” in their possession.

Juvenal Azurin, chief of the Philippine Drug Enforce-

ment Agency - Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PDEA-ARMM), identified the suspects as Mohamad Tuankali Macalimpas, 47; Samsodin Balolong Kato, 30; and Noraida Samaon Alamada, 20; all of Pikit, North Cotabato.

Azurin said the PDEA-

ARMM operation had been carried out against Macalimpas after intelligence information revealed he was to transport illegal drugs in this town after attending Monday’s Bangsamoro General Assembly in nearby Simuay, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao.

Azurin said a sting op-

eration in front of a money courier establishment situated along the national highway here led to the arrest of Macalimpas, and confiscation of seven big sachets of methamphetamine hydrochloride with an estimated market value of P2.5 million.

3, P13

7 PROPERTY

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 10 ISSUE 173 •THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

Matina Enclaves November update out

Building C and B

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

C

Installation of door jamb at 6th floor

Atrium sky light

onstruction of the condominium sector of the sprawling Matina Enclaves is moving right on track.

This was the assessment of project head Gerald Kent Garces after the company’s general contractor released its latest update.

Escandor Development Corporation (Esdevco) released the latest construction update on its prime property venture along Quimpo Boulevard in Ecoland, Davao City.

The most recent Building Update from Esdevco for Building C dated November 20 showed the building’s completion of its Topping-Off last October and is now proceeding with

Plastering of linte beam at window

painting works, installation of floor tiles, plastering of lintel beam for windows, installation of door jambs, concrete pouring for floor perimeter wall, installation of metal furring, installation of electrical wiring, installation of SP Shaft from the first floor to the sixth floor, installation of zocallo at corridors, layouting of railings at the eighth floor, plumbing works, and truss roofing at the Atrium.

“We are right on track with the construction of the towers,” Garces said.

“However, we will no longer issue overall accomplishment status as the construction phase typically slows down in the internal stages.”

Painting of roof truss

6th floor painting

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 173 •THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

EDITORIAL

Potentials and opportunities

I

s ride-sharing company Uber guilty of violating privacy laws after admitting it had breached private data from their system.

Uber made an admission that information of Filipinos were exposed in a massive breach involving 57 million users worldwide dating back to October 2016. The compromised data included the names and drivers of about 600,000 drivers in the United States and some personal information, such as names, email addresses, and mobile phone numbers of 57 million Uber users around the world.

However, Uber clari�ied that the incident did not breach its corporate systems nor was there any indication that trip location history, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, or dates of birth were downloaded. While it admitted that Filipino data subjects were affected, there was no indication that any driver’s license was downloaded.

The case could lead to prosecution of violation of pri-

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GENERAL SANTOS CITY OFFICE MANILA MARKETING OFFICE CAGAYAN DE ORO MARKETING MARKETING OFFICE Richard C. Ebona | Product Development officer LEIZEL A. DELOSO | Marketing Manager EDMUND D. RENDON Unit 6, SouthbankMarketing Plaza Velez-Yacapin Sts.Address: 04 Orilla St. Purok 4B Lower Bicutan, Taguig City Specialist Cellphone number: 09472652969 General Santos City Cagayan de Oro City JAMILA C. CANONIGO AGUSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Email Address: edgedavao@gmail.com Mobile: (Smart) 09104501042 Tel: (088) 852-4894 Circulation Marketing Specialist

OLIVIA D. VELASCO D.D. MARATAS RICHARD C. EBONA OLIVIA D. VELASCO JOCELYN S. PANES SOLANI SOLANI MARATAS General Manager Finance Advertising Specialist General Manager Director of Sales Finance OREAL L. REAL Marketing Assistant

vacy laws which carry with it severe civil and ciminal liabilities. The Data Privacy Act penalizes the concealment of security breaches involving sensitive information with imprisonment ranging from 18 months to �ive years and a �ine of not less than PHP500,000.

After admitting of the data breach, Uber claimed that it had immediately implemented security measures to restrict access and strengthen controls on their cloud-based storage accounts.

However, this matter should not stop at mere assurance to the public because there is reasonable ground to fear that the data or part of it may have been already downloaded elsewhere or by some persons within or outside Uber who may have gained access to the data.

An investigation must immediately be conducted to look into any dangerous information leaks and for those who are liable to be meted the appropriate penalties whether criminal or civil.

EDGEDAVAO

M

ore than just a political issue, the conundrum about money classi�ied as ‘ill-gotten wealth’ was a favorite staple in the run-up to the 2016 national elections. Former Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte, now president, confronted the issue as the most dif�icult because he had to enlist the services of sneaky lawyer which he now calls ‘presidential legal counsel.’

For the record, it was Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV who spilled the beans, though unresolved until now, that Duterte, who has been consistently contradicting his statements about his actual wealth, possessed ill-gotten wealth he supposedly amassed through ghost employee’s salaries, intelligence funds, and other forms of money-making ventures.

But the term ‘ill-gotten wealth’ takes on different meaning, albeit slightly, when taken in historical context. Austin Craig, the Rizal biographer, once wrote that the Muslims of Sulu, despite the ill-refute connected to them due to piracy, was more prudent when dealing with treasures gathered from activities we now classify as illegal.

“The Sulus,” he wrote, “although they are ready to do anything for the sake of plunder, even to the taking of life, yet are

I

f there is no drastic intervention done now, the number of people infected with human immunode�iciency virus (HIV) will rise from an estimated 67,000 by the end of 2017 to 201,000 in 2025, according to the projected data of the epidemiology bureau of the Department of Health.

“The picture of the present epidemic shows that (the) majority of new infections are among males who have sex with males (MSM) and transgender women who have sex with males (TGW) aged 15 to 24 years old,” then Health Secretary Jean Paulyn Ubial was quoted as saying the by “Philippine Daily Inquirer.”

According to the data, half of MSM and TGW start to have sex at 16 years old while some even become sexually active at a younger age of 12. “However, intervention measures can only be made available and accessible when they are 18 years old, and their �irst HIV test happens later at around 22 years old. This is compounded by the �indings on the initiation of treatment among people diagnosed with HIV which occurs much later at 28 years old,” Ubial lamented.

This is very alarming indeed. In the past six years, the number of new HIV infections in the country has risen by 140%, according to a recent UNAIDS report. From 4,300 cases in 2010, it went up to 10,000 cases in 2016. Today, the Philippines has the fastest growing HIV

VOL. 10 ISSUE 173 •THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

9

‘Ill-gotten wealth’ not disposed to hoard their ill-gotten wealth, and, with all their faults, cannot be termed avaricious. They have but few qualities to redeem their treachery, cruelty, and revengeful dispositions; and one of the principal causes of their being so predominant, or even of their existence, is their inordinate lust for power. When they possess this, it is accompanied by a haughty, consequential, and ostentatious bravery. No greater affront can be offered to a Sulu, than to underrate his dignity and of�icial consequence.”

This was in 1842 when there was no bank to speak of yet in the Philippines.

Ill-gotten wealth has also been the bane of people who claim to serve God in all their purity. George John Younghusband, in ‘The Philippines and Round About, with Some Account of British Interests in These Waters,’ written in 1899, wrote: “A man of God on whom rests the most solemn vows of holiness, chastity, and poverty, living amongst a simple and impressionable race a monster of iniquity, an extensive landowner, nursing his ill-gotten wealth, a monument of lechery and debauch. Let us hasten to add that the Philippines himself is far from being morally immaculate.

FAST BACKWARD Antonio V. Figueroa During martial rule, under President Ferdinand E. Marcos, some sectors approved the use of ill-gotten wealth, acquired unfairly or illegally, for purposes that are bene�icial to the poor. This concept was made popular by Robinhood, a heroic outlaw in English folklore, who stole money from the af�luent and distributed them to the underprivileged.

Adeline Knapp, in ‘The Story of the Philippines,’ (1902) underscored this practice, saying: “In those days men saw no wrong or absurdity in devoting ill-got-

ten to carrying on good works.”

A little known story about a Spanish Manila governor who enriched himself illegally and unfairly was highlighted

by Percy Hill, in ‘A Christmas Gift of the Greeks,’ which came out in the December 1927 issue of The American Chamber of Chamber Journal: “Suf�ice it to say that the coffers of [Don Enrique] Venegas [a governor in fact] were over�lowing amid all this misery. He affected the state of a grandee, with coaches and out-riders, and he even used the governor’s guard of halberdiers.

With his ill-gotten wealth he constructed the �inest palace ever seen in Manila, a palace later con�iscated by the King, which afterward served as the of�icial residence of all the governors from 1651 to 1863. The stone foundations facing the Ayuntamiento on Plaza McKinley are seen even today. Under this regime no man of wealth was safe from Venegas’s machinations, no woman from his desire, no property owner was brave enough to refuse him.”

Fast forward, in 1960, during the presidency of Carlos P Romulo, a high pro�ile investigation into ill-gotten wealth was reported, involving high-ranking of�icials of government. The report, in part,

was summarized in the ‘Business Views’ of a leading journal: “The Department of Justice forms a panel of prosecutors, initiating the prosecution of ten former government of�icials charged with having unlawfully enriched themselves while in of�ice as indicated by their having amassed wealth manifestly out of proportion to their legitimate incomes; those charged include a former commissioner of internal revenue, a suspended director of the Bureau of Supply Coordination, an assistant to the Director of Customs, and assistant to the Director of the National Bureau of Investigation, a former division chief of the Bureau of Customs, a former immigration of�icer, two Bureau of Internal Revenue examiners, a former ACCFA administrator and a former ACCFA provincial operations manager; the preliminary investigation must be completed before November 12 as under the old Anti-Graft Law (R. A. 1379) on which the complaints are based, provides that petitions seeking the con�iscation of ill-gotten wealth may not be �iled within one year of a national election.”

A saying has consistently reminded us that better than money, health is wealth.

the health department will now be giving ART to HIV-positive individuals. “We want 90% of high risk tested and 90% treated,” Ubial told “Philippine Star.”

“That’s the only way we can reverse (the) epidemic... This is how other countries are able to reverse the HIV epidemic in their countries.”

HIV is present in all body �luids of an infected person but is concentrated in blood, semen and vaginal �luids. Virtually, it is present in all body tissues and organs including the brain and spinal cord. It can be found in tears, saliva and breast milk although these last three are not considered signi�icant routes of infection.

In fact, you don’t get HIV from kissing.

To be infected, you need to imbibe 32 liters of an infected person’s saliva, according to Health Action Information Network (HAIN). “That would be enough saliva to �ill up the gasoline tank of six-by-sic truck.

And the transfer should happen in one kissing session!” HAIN said.

“A single sexual encounter can be suf�icient to transmit HIV,” wrote Dr. John Hubley, author of “The AIDS Handbook.”

“Although the risk from an individual sexual act may be low, the more times a person has sex, the greater the likelihood that transmission will take place. Women appear to be more at risk than men from heterosexual sex. The transmission of HIV from man to woman is believed to take place more easily than from woman

to man.”

“The great majority of reason how it is acquired however is really through unprotected sex and drug use,” Dr. Jordana P. Ramiterre, RHWC chief, pointed out.

“We again say that it is not who you are but what you do which poses you the risk of having AIDS.” Meanwhile, in Cebu City, medical experts are urging media practitioners to help the information campaign against the proliferation of HIV and AIDS. “Speaking about something that’s considered a taboo will help educate people on something they don’t know,” Dr. Helen Madamba of the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center told local journalists. “This can help increase awareness, which will eventually lead to better understanding. This will also develop compassion among ourselves for those who were diagnosed with the disease.”

Like most diseases, HIV can be prevented – as easy as ABC: abstain from sex, be faithful to your partner, use condoms, especially if you have multiple partners, don’t share needles, and be educated on HIV, a health expert reiterated.

“HIV is highly preventable,” the health expert said. “The government can only provide you information, diagnosis, and treatment. But the most effective way of preventing HIV is still heavily depends on the practices of informed individuals.”

HIV infection now a looming epidemic

epidemic in Asia and the Paci�ic region, it pointed out.

Last year, Filipinos were shocked to learn that there were 26 new HIV cases a day. But it was even more shocking when the health department issued a statement that for the �irst half of 2017, around 30 patients were diagnosed with HIV daily.

In Davao City, a total of 524 people had been diagnosed with HIV from January to June this year. From January 1984 to February 2016, the city was ranked �ifth among the urban areas in the country with the most number of reported HIV cases.

This is the reason why the �ight against HIV is among the top priorities of Mayor Inday Sara Duterte. “The RHWC has been established as one of the treatment hubs in the country for People Living with HIV and AIDS,” she said during her recent State of the City Address.

The mayor was referring to Reproductive Health and Wellness Center, which is handling cases of sexually-transmitted infections, including HIV and AIDS. The RHWC is one of the two HIV-AIDS treatment facilities in the city; the other one is in the Southern Philippines Medical Center.

Aside from helping HIV patients, the RHWC is also very active in encouraging people to be tested for HIV as treatment is available for those detected at an early stage, said a press statement released by

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

the City Information Of�ice.

In the past, it takes about a week before the results comes out. This waiting game has been reduced to just two to three hours now. Anyone who tests positive of HIV are given anti-retroviral therapy (ART).

Previously, the health department provided ART only to those whose CD4 count is below 200. CD4 or CD4 T-lymphocytes, according to an article, “are the cells in the body being attacked by HIV. It is the most important indicator of how well the immune system of an HIV patient is and the strongest predictor of the progression of HIV into AIDS.” But regardless of the CD4 count,

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 173 •THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

UP... FROM 1 ciate for commercial leasing services added that on the average , the prices for the of�icial spaces are pegged at P5655 per square meter in the Poblacion area , gaining a 5.1% increase from last year’s price and P475 per square meter in the Bajada-Lanang and Matina area, gaining 5.56% increase from the last year. The Poblacion area has the most Grade A buildings in the city, causing higher average price per square meter.

Coyoca also explained during the Habi at Kape on Wednesday that Bajada-Lanang strip remains dens-

est with a total inventory of 70,800 sqm, with a high 93% take-up, almost half of the existing inventory are occupied by medium-to large-scale BPO tenants and professional service of�ice tenants.

She also mentioned that some of the large scale tenants and developers already present in Davao City are Robinsons, VXI, Ayala, Alorica and Convergys.

“More than 90% of the occupants in Matina of�ice developments are ICT-BPO tenants particular in the Matina IT Park and Ayala Business Center.” she said.

ordinance but these people asked his of�ice during their meeting if their stocks may pass the city because it will take time and expenses.

“Going to Butuan City, tuyok sila’g Cagayan de Oro City gawas kag Bukidnon and they will pass through Kidapawan City and mo balik pa sila’g Davao del Sur so, medyo layo og ang expenses ano sa ilaha og ang risk tungod sa kalayo (Going to Butuan City, they will turn to Cagayan de Oro City then they will be at Bukidnon and pass through Kidapawan City and going back to Davao del Sur, so the distance is so long, expensive and risky on the part due to long distance travel ),” he said.

Tamayo said the traders can use the sea crafts in Panabo City to transport their �irecrackers to other areas.

“As long as they will not pass Davao City,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tamayo also warned the people not to use �irecrackers and pyrotechnics on designated areas as set by the Executive Order No. 28 released by President Rodrigo

R. Duterte last month.

“Anybody who will use �irecrackers outside the community �ireworks display areas will be apprehended,” he said.

Tamayo said that anyone who violates the order will be penalized of up to P30,000 �ine and up to six months imprisonment He said provincial government down to barangay will be the one to identify the places where the people can use their �irecrackers and pyrotechnics.

“The local government units will be the one to identify the area that will be used as community �ireworks display areas,” he said.

Tamayo said the local governments will be also the one identify the designated areas for selling �irecrackers and pyrotechnics.

The order entitled “Providing for the Regulation and Control of the use �irecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices” aims to lessen the �irecracker related injuries during the yuletide season.

of Justice (DOJ) to make a request, through the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), with the United States government to determine if indeed Rosalinda Garbo or any member of the Garbo family owns a real property in the US so that the property will be subject to forfeiture proceedings.

“Nung pinatawag namin si General Garbo [last July], pumunta naman ang lawyer niya, (When we summoned General Gardo last July, his lawyer came) we were expecting some explanation [on undeclared assets] pero he did not offer an explanation so we based our �indings sa mga documents na na-gather namin (but he did not offer an explanation so we based our �indings on the documents that we have gathered),” NBI Anti-Graft Division head Nathaniel Ramos told report-

ers.

PERMITS... FROM 2 NOBLE CAUSE. Cheryl Gomez, fundraising manager of The House of Hope Foundation for Kids with Cancer Inc., provides the details of the foundation’s upcoming dinner-for-a-cause set on December 2 at Grand Regal Hotel during this week’s edition of Wednesdays @ Habi at

IRR... FROM 3

solidated shipment of dutyand tax-free ‘balikbayan’ boxes (CAO 05-2016), establishment of an advance ruling system for valuation and rules of origin (CAO-03-2016) and imported gods with de minimis value and not subject to duties and taxes (CAO 02-2016).

“The CAOs relating to the CMTA that are issued by the BOC and approved by the Secretary [of Finance] are issued on a per-topic basis. So there will be, more or less, about 42 CAOs,” Tionko said.

Among the draft CAOs still under study or revision include those involving the clearance process for goods entered under the Customs Bonded Warehousing System, rules and regulations for customs transit in the customs territory, compulsory acquisition, outsourcing of non-sovereign customs function to private entities, rewards to persons instrumental in the actual collection of additional revenues, assignment and reassignment and designations of BOC personnel, customs container control division, customs facilities and warehouses and security to guarantee payment of duties and taxes.

Also under study are the draft CAOs on the temporary storage of goods, marking duty, Accredited Information

14... FROM 3

were immediately taken to a private hospital for treatment.

Magisa said that they are still verifying reports that the Secretary of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 3 and a platoon leader were among the 14 dead.

The above-mentioned rebel band also sustained losses during an encounter with

Processors, customs service fees, on-board couriers, registration of importers, express shipments, cargo manifests, seizure and forfeiture proceedings, free zones and transit, disposal of cargoes, relief consignment, customs jurisdiction and exercise of police authority, dispute settlement and appellate remedies, among others.

The CMTA microsite also contains information about, and templates to suggest recommendations on, the proposed IRR of the CMTA. Republic Act 10863, also known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), which was signed into law in May 30, 2016, is designed to modernize BOC rules and procedures to facilitate trade, cut red tape and corruption, and improve the delivery of BOC-related services.

For inquiries, comments and suggestions on the proposed IRR of the law, one can email the CMTA Project Management Of�ice and Secretariat at cmta.irr.pmo@customs.gov. ph and cmta_irr@dof.gov.ph.

The easy-to-navigate microsite contains the drafting process, timelines, and guidelines on the crafting of the IRR, and also includes a list of priority concerns on the CMTA and the point persons assigned to each topic.

government troops last Sept.

24 at the vicinity of Mount Banoy, Barangay Talumpok, Batangas City.

In the encounter, a rebel was reported killed while M-16 automatic ri�les and a bandolier was also recovered with no losses to the government side. (PNA)

Kape at Abreeza Mall in Davao City. The funds generated through the event will be used to support the cancer patients’ continuous needs.

Lean Daval Jr.

CARAVAN... FROM 2 some cases na �ictitious yung application,” he said.

He said the region has a total of 11,011 un-renewed LTOPF. Another effort done was the provisional LTOPF which is valid for nine months.

“The requirements were only accomplished application form, government issued I.D and payment then we will give you the provisional LTOPF then you can now renew your guns at of Regional Civil Security Unit 11,” said Tamayo.

He said that Davao City is very fortunate because the printer for the licenses is situated in the Regional Civil Security Unit 11.

Despite of this, 300 people have availed themselves of the program.

The following requirements are needed to apply for LTOPF; 2 copies Application Form, MTC and RTC Clearance or NBI or National Police Clearance, Dl Clearance or City or Municipality Police Clearance, Dl Clearance or City or Municipality Police Clearance Dl Clearance or City or Municipality Police Clearance NP Clearance from DOH Accredited Government Hospitals; or For AFP & PNP, PNP HS validated NP result may

be acknowledge. NSO Birth Certi�icate or any of the following: Passport; or BFA Certi�icate of Filipino Citizenship; or Oath of Allegiance/Certi�icate of Registration from BID for Dual Citizens; or Birth Certi�icate from the Local Civil Registry. roof of billing in the name of the applicant. One valid government ID, Proof of Income. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS: If Private Employee or OFW, add: Certi�icate of Employment (Original Copy) Indicate Position, Salary and Date Hired Company ID (photocopy). If Businessman/woman, add: Business Permit or SEC or DTI or CDA Registration (copy). If Retired Employee, add: Retirement Order, or appropriate document. If Farmer, add: Land CTC. If Government Employee, add: Valid Appointment Order or Oath of Of�ice (photocopy) Government Unit ID (photocopy) (Birth Certi�icate is now needed.) If PNP/ AFP/BJMP/BFP, add: Valid & Current Appointment Order (photocopy) Certi�icate of Duty Status (original) Non-Pending Case Clearance (original) Unit ID (photocopy). If Military Reservist, add: Valid & Current J9 or JAGO Clearance.

the country.

In a press brie�ing on Monday, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque bared that he heard Duterte again in a meeting last week that the president is inclined to give back the war on drugs to PNP. “But he has not transferred it yet to the PNP again.

I guess, until the document

is signed by him (Duterte) it remains with PDEA,” he said.

Roque said he would seek clari�ication from the president regarding his plan to return the campaign to PNP. “But, let us not pressure him either way. That is presidential discretion, prerogative,” he said. (Armando Fenequito Jr/PNA)

BE... FROM 3

NBI... FROM 2

Ramos said that they were not able to determine if the undeclared assets may have been sourced from the proceeds of illegal drug trade.

However, the NBI made assurances that its investigation on the drug links of the socalled “narco generals” is still ongoing.

Aside from Garbo, President Duterte also implicated in the illegal drug trade retired Chief Superintendent and now Daanbatayan, Cebu Mayor Vicente Loot, former Western Visayas police regional director Chief Superintendent Bernardo Diaz, former National Capital Region Police Of�ice director Chief Superintendent Joel Pagdilao and former Quezon City Police District director Chief Superintendent Edgardo Tinio. (PNA)

INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 173•THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO

Exatech celebrates 25-year partnership with Whirlpool

The key management officers of Exatech and Whirlpool Southeast Asia (from L-R) Ms. Joy Catiis-Cruz, Exatech Marketing Manager, Mr. John Sioco, Exatech Operations Director, Mr. Michael Sy, Exatech Warehouse and Logistics Director, Ms. Diane Sioco, Exatech Finance Director, Mr. Nixon Sioco, President and CEO of Exatech, Mr. Blanco Wong, Whirlpool SEA Managing Director , Mr. Raymond Wee, Whirlpool SEA Head of Business Development, Ms. Ida Wong, Whirlpool SEA Senior Regional Marketing Manager, Mr. Chris Sioco, Exatech Sales Director, and Mr. Adrian Sioco, Exatech Marketing Director.

T W E N T Y-F I V E YEARS AGO, Excellence Appliance Technologies, Inc. (Exatech) recognized the rising demand in the local market for US appliances. This prompted them to establish a partnership with world-renow ne d American home appliance brand Whirlpool and became its exclusive distributor in the Philippines in 1992.

Having evolved from a simple appliance retailer to the award-winning appliance distributor that it is today, Exatech is making Whirlpool products available through its network of more than 80 national and local appliance dealers with over 400 retail outlets nationwide. They also have over 200 authorized service providers to cater to the after-sales support of all their customers.

Recently, Exatech and Whirlpool celebrated their 25th year anniversary of partnership with a night of thanksgiving.

Hosted by Ms. Donita Rose, the event was held at the grand ballroom

of Edsa Shangri-La Hotel Manila wherein both Exatech and Whirlpool took the opportunity to thank and honor the people who have supported and trusted them for the past 25 years. Mr. Vico Angala, Chief Operating Officer of Duty Free Philippines, served as keynote speaker for the evening and also received the Plaque of Appreciation awarded to Duty Free for being the very first partner store to carry Whirlpool products in the country.

According to Exatech president and CEO, Nixon Sioco, “True to our name, our company, Excellence Appliance Technologies, Inc., is founded on excellence in appliance retailing and customer service.

Whirlpool is instrumental in helping us build on this foundation of excellence. Rest assured that we will continue to strengthen our partnership in order to help more Filipino customers realize greater value through Whirlpool appliances.”

To commemorate the enduring 25 years of partnership between Exatech and Whirlpool, the

companies introduced several exciting products this year namely their Better than Inverter Whirlpool IntelliFresh Refrigerator which can provide you with energy efficiency and excellent cooling performance.

This refrigerator has a Tri-Sensor Advanced Technology that is designed with several sensors that detect the amount of food inside and the ambient temperature outside and adjusts it accordingly to give you the best cooling performance consistently while still saving on energy for as low as PhP9 per day, as proven by the Meralco Testing Lab. The refrigerator also enables faster cooling allowing you to both easily preserve food and produce ice faster so you won’t have to worry about food going bad or running out of ice.

It also guarantees 7-day freshness for fruits and vegetables which keeps your leafy greens from wilting and fruits from rotting with its exclusive Microblock Technology.

Another product introduced earlier this year is the revolutionary

Whirlpool Stainwash Ultra washing machine.

Equipped with the 6th Sense Ultra Clean Technology that uses 60° Hot Wash through its built-in heater, it can easily remove any kind of stain. It also has an Anti-Allergy and AntiBacterial Wash feature that kills 99.9% of germs and allergens so you’re protected from any virus or diseases.

“With our commitment to quality, Whirlpool will be focusing on making more innovative products and services that would definitely benefit our consumers. New features will definitely be a target for the upcoming products that will truly make family life more convenient and enjoyable,” said Blanco Wong, managing director of Whirlpool Southeast Asia, during the festivities. “I’m proud and happy to say that in our 25 years of being partners with Exatech, Whirlpool has consistently garnered consumer confidence and secured its reputation for quality, durability and dependability here in the Philippines.”

Nixon Sioco, President & CEO of Exatech.

Blanco Wong, Managing Director of Whirlpool Southeast Asia.

EDGEDAVAO

A2INdulge!

FOOD

VOL. 10 ISSUE 173•THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

EXPLORING FLAVOURS SOMETIMES, you just need to go for it and eventually make it work. Everything need not be perfect the first time around — it should only be that you never lost your drive, motivation and dedication in seeing the result you have envisioned.

And this applies to everything.

El Savores Davao is one of the most recent gastronomic places to open its doors to the city. Comfortingly beautiful, El Savores Davao is a vision of laidback and majestic feel that’s easy on the senses -- even before you take a seat, browse the menu, place an order and eat.

Their menu is like a treasure chest of Filipino cuisine goodness. The marriage of flavours acts as a gentle reminder on the palate — a childhood reminder of memories and moments with family and friends. Personally, my palate relates well with the fusion of flavours -- it’s Filipino yet with the taste and depth of Muslim cuisine. It speaks verily of home, for me that is. And I guarantee, that at the end of your meal, you’d also love the flavours of my culture.

Appetizers include plateful of sliced potato with beef, cheese and beef bacon.They also have a 3 of a kind cheese sticks served with garlic aioli and tomato sauce.

Each dip pairs well with the deep fried cheese sticks. Adventurous? Try them both at once. I did.

Any dining experience won’t be complete without a bowl of soup on the table. Here, you can enjoy a bowl of Champion Pochero cooked with Australian beef shanks

or enjoy some Seafood Sinigang on any given day. True enough, every higop will remind you of home.

Pasta lovers rejoice! A plate of beef bacon and mushroom pasta will surely have you craving for more. Pechay and cream pesto? Yes! At El Sabores, they create dishes that are not only delish but something that are not easy to forget. Their Pechay and Cream Pesto pasta is blended pechay in cream, nuts and basil.

Yum. Cheese salad? Who would not love this? Plate of mozzarella, cheddar, feta and parmesan. With greens and balsamic vinaigrette — now this is one helluva of dairy goodness in one plate!

They also serve burgers (big, meaty burger goodness served with crunchy fries on the side), local and imported

steak (aways, always have your steak medium well for a juicy steak experience) and rice bowls (of meat, rice, veggies and sauces that compliments the meal to a T).

The Rev’s express is one dish you should not miss. Beef ribs braised in coconut milk and shrimp

paste with salted egg salsa on the side is just what you need to end a tiring week. Beef rendang, anyone? Theirs is what you’d call a calories-don’t-care kind of meal. It truly is worth every calorie!

Another must have is their chicken pianggang — marinated chicken

in black coconut served with jambalaya rice wrapped in fried egg.

Mouthful? Yup. Delish?

Of course.

Don’t forget their dessert and cake choices baked by Real Confections for that perfect meal ender. Or starter even.

El Savores is located at Dona Vicenta Village, Surveyor street, Jacinto extension, Davao City.

Again, congratulations!

For my latest food finds, follow me on Instagram @iamleebai and Facebook @theroyalchefeats. Happy munching, royalistas!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 173•THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

ENTERTAINMENT

EDGEDAVAO

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Subscribers can look forward to clear and crisp viewing of hit Kapamilya shows such as “It’s Showtime,” “ASAP,” “Umagang Kay Ganda,” ABS-CBN’s flagship newscast “TV Patrol” and more on ABSCBN HD. Kids can feast on well-loved cartoons like Spongebob, Peppa Pig and Strawberry Shortcake on Yey, and learn from Knowledge Channel’s Math Dali and K-High.

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ENVIRONMENT 11

EDGEDAVAO VOL. VOL.10 10ISSUE ISSUE173 173•THURSDAY, •THURSDAY,NOVEMBER NOVEMBER30, 30,2017 2017

Empty nets: No more fish soon?

(Last of 3 parts)

TEXT AND PHOTOS By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

F

ormerly considered a “nuisance fish” when it was first introduced, tilapia has now evolved into a “wonder fish.”

Today, tilapia is the most cultured freshwater fish as Filipinos relish it with much gusto because of its cotton-like meat and fairly good taste.

It was in 1950 when Deogracias Villadolid of the Philippine Fisheries Commission brought some species of Tilapia mossambica from Thailand into the country. Although there were no studies made on its management, the �ish was introduced in some ponds. As tilapia is a proli�ic �ish, the result was an overcrowded pond.

Many growers considered tilapia as nuisance because it competed for the food of bangus (milk�ish), which at that time was considerably more pro�itable than tilapia. As a result, tilapia vanished into oblivion.

But in 1972, a new tilapia species – Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) – was reintroduced. This time, it caught the attention of the Filipinos as it had better features particularly its whiter color, bigger size, and faster growth.

Today, the Philippines is “now one of leading producers of tilapia in the world,” reports Dr. Rafael D. Guerrero III, an Academician of the National Academy of Science and Technology who popularized tilapia raising in the country today.

Marine and �ishery experts considered tilapia as the possible answer to the �ish shortage in the country. Filipinos are touted to be one of the world’s biggest �ish consumers. Along with rice, it is their staple food.

In 2013, the Philippines was the fourth largest producer of tilapia in the world with a total production of 316.536 metric tons valued at US$669.8 million. Eighty-�ive percent of the production was from aquaculture and 15% from inland

water �ishing.

As a world leader, the Philippines has also set the pace for the use of several technological innovations for tilapia.

One of these is the sex reversal technology (SRT). “The technology which is regarded as a milestone in global aquaculture is widely applied in the Philippines and other countries like Israel, Thailand, and the United States,” Dr. Guerrero says.

Dr. Guerrero was recognized by the World Aquaculture Society for his pioneering work on tilapia sex reversal technology that contributed signi�icantly to world aquaculture. In 2004, he was conferred the Mgr. Jan D. F. Heine Memorial Award by the International Tilapia Foundation for his effort.

The sex reversal technology is based on the theory that the development of the sex organ (testis for male and ovary for female) in the �ish can be arti�icially in�luenced by feeding of a synthetic sex hormone (methyl testosterone for male and estrone for female) during the “sexless period” of the young. Hormonal or induced sex reversal was �irst demonstrated in the 1950s by T. K-O. Yamamoto of Japan in the medaka, an aquarium �ish.

Arti�icial sex reversal is considered the most effective, ef�icient and economical method for solving the major drawback of growing tilapias to market-size caused by unwanted reproduction.

“With mix-sex (male and female) stocks, the �ish matures early and breeds frequently resulting in stunted growth due

to overpopulation in ponds,” Dr. Guerrero explains. “By growing all-male tilapia produced through hand-sexing (manual separation of sexes), hybridization (crossbreeding of two appropriate species) or sex reversal, the yield of large-sized tilapias is signi�icantly increased by 30% to 50% because of the faster-growing males compared to females and the control of reproduction.”

Since its development as a “breakthrough,” the application of tilapia sex reversal has undergone a number of innovations. While at �irst it was believed that the treatment of fry could only be done under a shade, it is now being done in outdoor tanks and ponds.

Although anyone with the proper know-how and equipment can prepare the hormone-feed and apply it, there is a tilapia sex reversal feed (called SRT-95) now available in the market for those who �ind it more convenient and practical.

“Applying the sex reversal feed method with a success rate of at least 95 percent requires the production of the right age of the fry for treatment, preparation of the hormone feed or its procurement, and the proper application of the treatment,” Dr. Guerrero says.

The synthetic sex hormone used in SRT is called methyltestosterone, a man-made form of testosterone. A naturally occurring sex hormone, testosterone is produced in a man’s testicles.

Small amounts of testosterone are also produced in a woman’s ovaries and adrenal system.

“Methyltestosterone is

used in men and boys to treat conditions caused by a lack of this hormone, such as delayed puberty or other hormonal imbalances,” explained the website, www.drug.com. “Methyltestosterone is also used in women to treat breast cancer that has spread to other parts of the body.”

But instead of using a commercial sex hormone, pollen from pine trees may do the same trick, according to a study of the Central Luzon State University (CLSU).

“The use of pine pollen in its unprocessed condition enables the change of sex of young �ishes used for breeding, turning in 84.59-90.46% males,” said Dr. Ravelina R. Velasca, of CLSU’s Freshwater Aquaculture Center, who headed the study.

Unprocessed condition means the pollen still has a protective cover.

“The use of pine pollen technology in tilapia sex change eliminates health hazards associated with all-male tilapia production,” she added. “It is an environment-friendly approach and could be an alternative to the use of high-priced standard hormone in sex change.”

Should the synthetic sex hormone be banned, the pine pollen – particularly from Benguet pine (Pinuskesiya) could be used in reversing the hormone of tilapia.

But the good thing about pine pollen technology is that it does not cause deposit of harmful chemicals onto the soil of the pond, which is common in using the standard hormone. “Using the natural

product contributes to improving management and standard practices of tilapia culture,” Dr. Velasca wrote in a report published by Bridge, a compilation of success stories collected by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

Pine pollen are the male part of the pine tree. A raw pine pollen, it has been discovered, contains the richest seedbed of male hormone, the testosterone derived from plants. “The male and the female reproductive organs are found in the same tree,” Dr. Velasca said.

Pine pollen is easily absorbed by tilapia when taken

in powder or in liquid form dissolved in alcohol.

In the CLSU study, the young tilapia �ingerlings with no identi�ied sex is fed with different concentrations of pine pollen dissolved in alcohol for 28 days. “For example, 40 milligrams of pine pollen are added and soaked with 62.5 millimeters of alcohol. After seven days of soaking, the �iltered liquid is added to 125 grams of commercial feed, fry mash,” Dr. Velasca said.

The feed with the pine pollen solution is air dried and fed to the young �ish for 28

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days. The feed with pine pollen solution is give 6-8 times per day. After the 28th day, the �ish fed with pine pollen solution is transferred to a bigger area and allowed to grow bigger.

“We check the number of males by visually looking at the hole in the belly,” Dr. Velasca said. “In cases it is hard to identify the sex by just looking at the belly, we cut the belly and check the reproductive organ under the microscope.”

But are these tilapia given pine pollen solution safe to eat?

Dr. Guerrero said the oral treatment with methyltestosterone in tilapia is only for 3-4 weeks during the sexless stage of the fry or what he calls as “the stage of sexual differentiation.”

“After withdrawal of the treatment,” he assured, “there are no residuals left in the system of the �ish after 92 hours.

Since the fry are grown for at least 3-4 months for market and human consumption, it is very safe. There can, therefore, be no side effects if there is no synthetic hormone left in the systems of the �ish.”

The use of methyltestosterone for tilapia sex reversal is generally accepted throughout the world except in Europe

which has a strict organic (no synthetics) policy. “So far, since its application more than 30 years ago, there is no negative or harmful effect on humans reported,” Dr. Guerrero said.

If synthetic sex hormone is safe to eat after 3-4 months, how much more for the natural pine tree pollen?

Meanwhile, at the Mindanao Baptist Rural Life Center in Kinuskusan, Bansalan, Davao del Sur, research has shown that you can make your tilapia pond more productive and pro�itable by raising a pig at the site of the pond. Pig wastes go directly to the pond and help to fertilize the tiny plants that serve as the tilapia’s main food.

Tests have proven that tilapia cultured in this kind of pond can be eaten without any harmful effect.

“Tilapia is here to stay in the country,” said Dr. Guerrero.

“Farming it should be further promoted in upland and coastal areas of the country where �isheries production will be adversely affected by climate change.”

Unlike other �ish, tilapia has very low levels of mercury because it is fast growing- and short-lived �ish that mostly eats a vegetarian diet.

�irst to Sto. Nino town, also in South Cotabato, to see his bestfriend-priest before going home to Norala.

Before the priest was to speak, a touching scene unfolded before the crowd when another hostage, Belen Babon, who is from neighboring Isulan town in Sultan Kudarat province, and Soganub tightly hugged each other and cried on stage. Babon worked as a house helper in Marawi until her abduction.

It was the �irst time they were reunited after separately escaping from the terrorist gunmen.

“The aerial bombings, the artillery �ires, the machine guns that we heard were so terrifying. It’s like a scene you can see only in a (war) movie,” Soganub told the crowd in the vernacular.

“As hostages, death stared us on the face because of the �ierce �ightings between the two sides…Fortunately, I was able to escape towards government troops,” he added.

Soganub, who served all 23 years of his religious life in Marawi, said he was angry with God for putting him in a nightmare.

“However, my faith on God did not diminish a bit while I was in captivity, in fact it even deepened my trust on Him,” he noted.

Soganub laced his almost two-hour narration with humor that brought the audience in laughter.

He thanked the local government unit and the residents for the warm welcome.

The priest, also called “Tisoy,” was recovered by government troops on September 17 after escaping from his captors.

Norala Mayor Victor Balayon said they were relieved after learning that the priest had escaped.

“Since he was abducted, we have been praying for his safe release. Now that he is free, I consider this as the second life of Fr. Chito,” Balayon said in Ilonggo.(MINDANEWS)

posal on the operations and maintenance of MRT for 30 years.

Original proponent status has been granted to the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation which will be submitted to the Nation-

al Economic Development Authority and will undergo Swiss Challenge once approved. The procurement mode will enable companies to make competing offers while giving the original proponent to match them.(PNA)

PRIEST... FROM 3

SUMITOMO... FROM 4

Glide Lip Liner, this collection promises a vibrant pop of color on your lips that lasts all day. Its shades include Pony, Benjamin, Whoops Kiri and Phenom to name a few. The Phenomenal Lip Kits retail at P295 each,” she added.

David said they have their online website which customer can purchase any Vice cosmetics but unfortunately it was crashed due to high demands of orders.

“Right now our website was crashed because we got 10,000 orders for just 15minutes.” She added.

“Watch out for the stores coming soon in Watsons and SM City Department Stores for

BIZ... FROM 5 our grand opening and expect ganda for the additional surprises that awaits you for now you can like our Facebook and follow us on Instragram.” she said “I want to inspire everyone to look and feel their most beautiful,” says Vice Ganda.

“Vice Cosmetics is not for me, it’s for everyone. Para samgataongpinapatawako, I want them to be happy and at the same time, feel good about themselves. That’s why I want to bring ganda to all with luxury-quality cosmetics na accessible salahat, ‘yungtalagangpresyong pang-everyone.”an email statement from Vice Ganda.

HIGHER... FROM 4 would be released.

He said that in 2015, the government collected PHP100 billion, and PHP96 billion in 2016.

“It decreased. So the argument of Senator Pacquiao and Senator JV is that if we increase the tax on cigarette, if we increase to PHP60, we might be able to raise an additional PHP60 billion. We have to study that,” Angara said.

The senator, however, said that the Department of Finance has vowed to include it in the next TRAIN package.

On Tuesday, the Senate passed on third and final reading its version of the TRAIN bill with 17 affirmative votes and only one negative vote.

Senator Risa Hontiveros,

the only senator who voted against the passage of the TRAIN, said that she felt that it “fell short” of its promise to reform the tax system and be beneficial to the poor.

Senators who voted for TRAIN are Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto, Senators Juan Edgardo Angara, Francis Escudero, Joseph Victor Ejercito, Nancy Binay, Grace Poe, Cynthia Villar, Loren Legarda, Sherwin Gatchalian, Richard Gordon, Gringo Honasan, Manny Pacquiao, Joel Villanueva, and Juan Miguel Zubiri. (With reports from Leilani Junio/PNA)

BFAR... FROM 5 the market.

Resource conservation, on the other hand, focuses on strict implementation of regulatory measures including traceability, eel research, and the establishment of management measures, alongside advocacy campaign.

The group also called for the formulation and implementation of Eel Management Plan, in all involved regions as well as for the entire country.

In mid-2012 to 2013, there was a massive spike in demand for elvers (young eel) in the global market, leading to a huge increase in its buying price which went as high as PHP45,000 per kg.

However, the high buying price led to unabated gathering, prompting the government to issue Fisheries Administrative

PEACE... FROM 6

together by taking pro-active measures in managing spoilers of peace.

The IMT declaration had cited their continuous commitment to share information; joint and coordinated operations on the Philippine Army’s pursuit operation against Abu Toraife’s ISIS-inspired group of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in the borders of Maguindanao and North Cotabato provinces; maintenance of the Marawi peace corridor; pacification of family feuds;

Order 242 prescribing a size limit of 15 cm total length for elvers set for export.

Ame said the eel development plan would enable industry players to tap into this huge export potential without compromising sustainability of the resources.

The fisheries expert added that implementation of sub-activities under the plan will start next year.

The meeting was attended by officials from the BFAR Central Office and Regional Offices, BFAR – NFRDI, The Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center of Thailand, and a non-governmental organization. (PNA)

ly to the usual slowdown of demand after the holiday season,” the official explained.

Other factors cited by the respondents are implementation of more government infrastructure projects, favorable domestic macroeconomic conditions such as low inflation environment, and expansion of exports markets and rising demand for Philippine products.

The central bank, in its report, said business sentiment in the country “mirrored the more bullish business outlook in Australia, Canada, Germany, and Indonesia, but was in contrast to the less favorable views of those in the US, UK, Hong Kong, South Korea, New Zealand and Thailand, and steady outlook in France.”

Amid this development, sentiment for the next quarter turned less optimistic, with the index down to 39.7 percent

SENATE... FROM 5 27 percent will be allocated to social protection programs including the unconditional cash transfer to the poorest 10 million Filipino families and health, nutrition and anti-hunger programs, while 13 percent will be allocated to military modernization programs.”

“We thank the Senate for its vote on its version of the tax reform bill. We hope that with the Senate’s swift action on the measure, the two chambers of the Congress can soon sit down in the bicameral conference committee to thresh out a reconciled version of the bill that would provide the most benefit for the majority of the Filipinos while raising additional revenues to support our infrastructure modernization program,” Dominguez said.

“We are hoping that a final congressional version of the TRAIN could be sent to the

President’s desk by December, so the tax reform bill could then be signed into law and implemented as scheduled by January next year,” he said.

House Bill (HB) No. 5636, the TRAIN version approved by the House of Representatives last May 31.

The Senate version provides additional revenue-generating measures that are not in the House version of TRAIN. But both Senate and House versions provide for tax exemptions for those earning P25o,ooo and below.

Among the additional TRAIN measures approved by the Senate on third and final reading are the doubling of the prevailing documentary stamp tax (DST) rates, except for property, which will remain as is, and loans, which will increase by 50 percent. (DOF)

by the Supreme Court for violation of Batas Pambansa Blg. 22 or the Bouncing Cheque Law prior to the 2016 elections.

Mariano has filed a motion for reconsideration on his disqualification case but “the

Commission En Banc promulgated a Resolution on August 31, 2017 denying his Motion for Reconsideration dated December 13, 2016 and, accordingly, affirming the Resolution of the First Division.”(PNA)

COMELEC... FROM 6

NOTICE OF LOSS Notice is hereby given by 324 ModernFashion Boutique located at 16A Chinatown Shopping Center,R. Magsaysay Ave. Davao City that the following Cash Invoice were lost: Booklet Number

and combat against illegal drugs, among others.

“The high level of cooperation in dealing with some of these highlighted issues will naturally build strong confidence and trust among the peace process stakeholders and greatly contribute to peaceful environment,” the statement said.

The IMT said it hopes that such cooperation takes place in all community-affected areas throughout Mindanao. (PNA)

from 51.3 percent in the quarter-ago’s survey.

The usual slowdown of business after the holidays was a major factor for the decline in the index while other reasons cited by the respondents are lag in” business transactions at the beginning of the year (e.g., delay in renewal of contracts and drydock season for the shipping industry), stiffer business competition, concerns on the effect of the new excise tax rates to the automobile industry, and higher inflation.”

Among the selected economic indicators, respondents expect inflation to rise but remain within the government’s three to five percent target, the peso to weaken against the US dollar, and interest rates to go up.

As of last October, inflation average at 3.2 percent. (PNA)

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

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3... FROM 6 Also seized from the group were a 9mm pistol, mobile phones and a Nissan Urvan vehicle (ZTR 391) with a tarpaulin bearing the Bangsamoro Assembly they participated in a day earlier.

“Macalimpas is a high value target, we have been closely monitoring him,” Azurin said adding that the principal suspect is a member of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

SOCOT... FROM 6

They were released to BFP units or stations in the municipalities of Lake Sebu, Surallah, Sto. Nino, Norala and T’boli.

The governor said the patrol vehicle was acquired through the provincial government’s peace and order fund while the ambulance and breathing apparatus from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council fund.

“This is a continuing as-

The MILF, for its part, is currently looking into the claim of Macalimpas that he is a member of their organization.

Charges for violation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and RA 10591 for illegal possession of firearms are being prepared against the suspects now detained at the PDEA-ARMM custodial facility in Cotabato City. (PNA)

sistance program to our law enforcement units and we’re currently looking into some of their important needs,” Fuentes said.

Earlier this year, the local government also turned over patrol vehicles and motorcycles to police units in the province.

The governor said they are also planning to acquire firearms to augment the capability of local police stations.(FKA/ PNA)

GEEK... FROM 14 for easy buckets.

Jason Terry, who spent a few brief moments with the Kings in 2014 before being traded to Houston, was booed every time he touched the ball. He made a 3-pointer that put the Bucks up 92-56.

TIP-INS Bucks: Middleton was a

game-time decision because of illness. ... Antetokounmpo ‘s 3-pointer was only his second make from beyond the arc in the past nine games. ... John Henson was charged with a technical foul after hanging onto the rim following a dunk in the first quarter.

NEWS 13

EDGEDAVAO the no-call, he turned and threw an air punch directly at me and then he aggressively charged at me and then he used vulgarity in my ear a few times.’’

Love had his way with every defender Miami put on him, finishing 10 of 16 from the field and 14 of 17 on free throws. He scored 22 in the first quarter and the Cavs opened a 27-point lead before halftime.

Dwyane Wade added 17 points for Cleveland, which has shaken off a slow start and is again playing like the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.

Wade said he has seen James that mad before. ‘’I just ain’t never seen him get ejected,’’ Wade said.

‘’But I’ve definitely seen him that mad before. He only got one ejection - 15 years, that’s pretty good.’’

Waiters scored 21 and Bam Adebayo had 19 for the Heat, who had won three in a row. Goran Dragic finished with just seven points - 12 below his team-leading scoring average.

The Heat closed to 9376 early in the fourth, but Wade scored six straight points and fed Kyle Korver for a 3-pointer to give Cleveland a 102-79 lead. ‘’Felt that I needed to do something to help this team keep our lead,’’ Wade said. ‘’Just got in an aggressive mindset, got a couple shots to fall and had a nice assist to Kyle for a long three-ball.’’

and Cocolife in the 4:15 pm first match of this prestigious club league bankrolled by Mikasa, Grand Sport, Senoh, Mueller, Island Rose, Cloudfone and UCPB Gen. After posting a massive win over F2 Logistics over the weekend and another victory over Victoria Sports-UST late Tuesday, reigning champion Foton formally conquered the top spot in the team standing with a 7-1 mark.

Its reign, however, wouldn’t last long as close pursuers Petron and F2

Logistics are still on track of punching their seventh victory in the final two playdates of the single round eliminations of this tourney that also has Gerflor and Gold’s Gym as technical sponsors and ESPN5 as official broadcast partner.

Sta. Lucia, meanwhile, is tied with idle Iriga City in sixth spot with a 2-5 card, making it desperate for a victory that will improve its ranking and avoid facing the top seed in the sudden-death quarterfinal battle starting Dec. 5.

PSL... FROM 15

PDEA apologizes over disclosure of drug suspect’s HIV status

T

he Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Wednesday apologized to the public for disclosing that one of the suspects arrested in a hotel buybust operation is living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/ AIDS).

“PDEA has expressed regret in the inadvertent mention during a recent press conference that one of the suspects, though his identity was withheld, is infected with HIV. We may have gone overboard by violating his right to privacy,” PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino said in a statement.

Aquino said that during the operation, one suspect admitted that he is HIV-positive after yielding to authorities a bottle of medication supposedly for treatment of the disease.

“In our ardent desire to issue a warning that organized passion parties spiked with illegal drugs and involving male-to-male sexual partners may contribute to the high prevalence of HIV infections in the country, we have disregarded the context of privacy.

It was never our intention to be insensitive and discriminatory against people with HIV,” he said.

On Sunday, PDEA-SES operatives arrested 11 suspected male drug personalities in

a buy-bust operation inside Room 609 of Seda Hotel, Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig City, which resulted in the seizure of ecstasy, shabu and gamma butyrolactone (GBL), a dangerous drug.

The group was reportedly caught while having a sex party.

Seized during the operation were 20 ecstasy tablets, weighing 8.691 grams, with an estimated street value of PHP40,000; two transparent plastic sachets containing methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, weighing 0.0981 gram worth PHP500; 12 bottles containing gamma butyrolactone (GBL), weighing 530.8 ml. worth PHP300,000; and one bottle containing white capsules, with a total value of PHP340,500.

GBL, a precursor of gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), is commonly referred to as a “club drug” or “date rape” drug, usually abused by young people at bars, rave parties and clubs and is often placed in alcoholic beverages.

GBL and GBH abuse results in euphoria, increased sex drive, and tranquility.

Meanwhile, Senator Risa Hontiveros, urged PDEA and other government agencies to observe current laws, protocols and systems in dealing with persons living with HIV. (PNA)

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BACK TO BACK

‘Swingderella’keeps Stuart Appleby Signature Open title

DEFENDING THE CROWN. Dabawenya golfer Ella Nagayo won her second straight Stuart Appleby Signature Open title in Melbourne.

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO

M

ELBOURNE – Swingderella is at it again.

Inspired after getting up close and personal with golf idols Jason Day and Jordan Spieth in Sydney, and in-form Ella Nagayo went home to Melbourne and immediately buckled

down to work.

With her tee shots going errant, the 13-year old golf scholar from Davao City relied on her short game and came through with a three over par 75 to retain the Stuart Appleby Signature Open on November 19 in Lilydale,

Victoria.

Nagayo, whose moniker Swingderella has stuck among the junior golf circuit in all of Victoria, tamed the Gardiners Run Golf Club with awesome shotmaking and precision putting.

She had four bogeys

and a lone birdie on the eighth but her 75 was enough to make her keep the title she won for the first time last year.

Nagayo struggled off the tee as her driver favored the hook and missing the fairways. Father Danny, who again worked

Greek Freak lifts Bucks to win

S

ACRAMENTO, Calif. — Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 19 of his 32 points in the third quarter, helping the Milwaukee Bucks beat the Sacramento Kings, 112-87, on Tuesday night (Wednesday, Manila time).

Eric Bledsoe had 21 points, five assists and five rebounds for the Bucks, who won for the second time in five games. Khris Middleton scored 12 points.

Milwaukee led by as many as 36 and won despite not scoring a second-chance point.

Antetokounmpo scored 11 points in the first quarter, but was at his best coming out of halftime. He went 6 for 8 from the field in the third, including a rare 3-pointer.

It was Antetokounmpo’s eighth 30-point game this season.

Milwaukee has won three straight against Sacra-

mento.

The Bucks were crisp early, but they didn’t pull away until a 20-3 run midway through the second quarter.

Bledsoe scored 11 during the run, and Middleton made two free throws to put Milwaukee up 61-34 at halftime.

Garrett Temple scored 18 for the Kings, and Buddy Hield added 13 points. Willie Cauley-Stein had 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Sacramento came out flat and never recovered, one day after rallying in the fourth quarter to beat the short-handed Golden State Warriors.

Even after Bucks coach Jason Kidd emptied his bench in the fourth quarter, Sacramento struggled to get the lead under 30.

The Kings committed 11 turnovers in the first half and repeatedly allowed Antetokounmpo to get into the paint

GREEK, P13

as her bagtoter, told her to use her 3-wood and dump the errant driver.

Heeding his advise, her game improved and she came through with a couple of saved pars.

In the par-5 8th, she teed off with a 3-wood but still went over the other

PBA future still hangs in the balance

T

EXPLOSIVE. Giannis Antotekounmpo fired 19 of his 32 points in the third quarter.

fairway. She pulled out her PING 19-degree rescue and layed up her second shot. She was left with 90 feet to the pin and tapped in for a birdie 4.

Nagayo matched pars from the 13th to 18th to close out her game with a 75.

HE fate of the PBA’s coming season remained very much uncertain after a ‘team owners only’ meeting called on Tuesday afternoon was snubbed by representatives from the five teams that continue to support the tenure of Commissioner Chito Narvasa.

According to sports website SPIN.ph sources, the meeting was called by a number of team owners to seek an end to a feud within the league board sparked by Narvasa’s decision to approve a controversial trade between San Miguel and KIA for the top pick in the last rookie draft.

Seven teams which came out to declare a loss of confidence in Narvasa, and openly expressed opposition to a renewal of the commissioner’s contract, were represented in the meeting.

Present during the meeting were Manny V. Pangilinan representing TNT KaTropa, Meralco, and NLEX, Alaska’s Wilfred Uytengsu, Rain or Shine’s Terry Que and Raymund Yu, and Dennis Uy of Phoenix.

Blackwater’s Dioceldo Sy failed to attend after suffering an injury in a freak accident but was represented during the meeting, a source added.

However, five teams which backed Narvasa during the October brouhaha were not represented.

Sources told SPIN.ph that San Miguel Corp. big boss Ramon S. Ang was invited by one fellow team owner but didn’t show up. Also not present were GlobalPort owner and former league chairman Mikee Romero as well as KIA president and Palawan governor Jose Alvarez. (SPIN.ph)

VOL. 10 ISSUE 173 •THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2017

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Lebron ejected but Cavs hold on

C

LEVELAND (AP) -- LeBron James lost his cool. Kevin Love and Cavaliers stayed just as hot.

Incensed at not getting a foul called on a drive to the basket, James was ejected for the first time in his illustrious career on Tuesday night, tossed in the third quarter of Cleveland’s 108-97 win over the Miami Heat.

Love scored 32 of his 38 points in the first half and James added 21 as the Cavaliers extended their winning streak to nine.

With the Cavs leading by 23, James, who had attempted just one free throw at that point, drove the length of the floor and drew contact from Miami’s James Johnson and Dion Waiters.

When he didn’t hear a whistle, James screamed and gestured toward referee Kane Fitzgerald, who quickly called a technical and pointed for the three-time champion to leave the floor.

It was the first time James had been thrown out in 1,082 career NBA games,

and he said it was a first since he started playing basketball as a boy in Akron. ‘’On that particular play I got fouled all the way up the court, from the time that I stripped him (Johnson) all the way until I got to the rim, and so that’s what it’s about,’’ James said. ‘’I said what I had to say and I moved on, but he (Fitzgerald) thought that I should get two of them, so it is ... we got the win and that’s most important.’’

James has long complained about not getting calls near the basket, and hinted that his eruption may have been caused by pent-up frustration. ‘’I’m one of the league leaders in points in the paint,’’ he said. ‘’I drive just as much as anybody. At this point, it’s almost like they’re trying to turn me into a jump shooter. I can’t be a jump shooter. I’m not a jump shooter. I watch games

every single night and I see jump shooters going to the line multiple, double-digit times every night. ‘’I’m not a jump shooter and I get fouled just as much as everybody else, so it’s going to the line one time, three times or four times, that’s not what it’s about.’’

Fitzgerald said he couldn’t let James’ actions go unpunished.

‘’It w a s a culmination of a couple different acts,’’ he told a pool reporter. ‘’Immediately after

LEBRON, P13

PSL to adjust to FIVB sked

Team Standings Foton 7-1 F2 Logistics 6-1 Petron 6-1 Cocolife 3-4 Cignal 3-4 Generika-Ayala 3-4 Sta. Lucia Realty 2-5 Iriga City 2-5 Games Today (Filoil Flying V Centre) 4:15 pm – Petron vs Cocolife 7:00 pm – Generika-Ayala vs Sta. Lucia

In compliance with the new competition calendar of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) and the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC), the Philippine Superliga (PSL) will make significant changes in its own calendar for 2018.

From late October to mid-December, the most prestigious club league in the country will move its import-flavored Grand Prix as its season-opener from Feb. 17 to May 17, followed by the Challenge Cup beach volleyball tournament from May 26 to June 16.

The All-Filipino Conference will be held from July 28 to Nov. 15, but would take a break f rom

Sept. 17 to 23 to give way for the 6th AVC Asian Cup for Women in

Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.

The Invitational Conference is set from November to December, followed by another beach volleyball tournament to cap the year.

Also calendared is the AVC Asian Women’s Club Championship from July 11 to 18 in Oskemen, Kazakhstan, where the league is set to send its All-Star team anew.

The calendar, however, would be subject to minor revisions depending on the actual implementation of the new international rules.

PSL president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said the league made a bold move of tweaking its calendar in compliance with those of the FIVB and the AVC, making it easier for the league to attract the w o r l d ’s best fore i g n player s

for the Grand Prix as well as make their players available for international tournaments.

DIG. Denden Lazaro of Cocolife in action against Sta. Lucia.

UNSTOPPABLE. Pamela Lastimosa of Sta. Lucia Realty hits one over Cocolife defenders.

“The PSL is a staunch supporter of the plans and prog r a m s of the FIVB and the AVC,” said Suzara, who is also an FIVB member and the chairman of the powerful marketing and development committee of the AVC.

LOSING COOL. Cleveland superstar Lebron James lost his cool against the Heat.

“We decided to tweak our calendar in compliance with the new international calendar. Since our Grand Prix is within the international transfer period, it would be easy for us to invite foreign players for the Grand Prix while making our players available for international competitions, too.”

Meanwhile, Sta. Lucia Realty guns for a crucial win to improve its raking entering the quarterfinals of the Chooks to Go-PSL Grand Prix today at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The Lady Realtors collide with dangerous Generika-Ayala at 7 pm following the clash between Petron

PSL, P13

US-based Gesta gets world title shot

F

ilipino boxer Mercito ‘No Mercy’ Gesta looks to start 2018 with a bang, as he’s set to challenge Venezuela’s Jorge Linares for the WBA and Ring lightweight world championships in January.

The 30-year old Gesta (31-1-2) gets his second shot at a world championship after coming up short in his IBF title bid against Miguel Vasquez back in 2012.

After over a year on the shelf, Gesta made a triumphant return to the ring in early 2017 with a unanimous decision win against Gilberto Gonzales in Las Vegas Gesta followed that up with an eighth-round KO

win over Martin Honorio in California.

Now based in the United States, the Cebu-native has been working under the tutelage of legendary boxing coach Freddie Roach and hopes to finally capture a world championship.

Linares (43-3) on the other hand, is a former WBC featherweight and lightweight world champion. In 2016, Linares captured the WBA and Ring Magazine lightweight championships, and has defended them twice since.

Gesta and Linares are set to face off at the Forum in Inglewood, California on January 27th.

TITLE SHOT. Mercito Gesta with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.

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