Edge10 issue178 December 7, 2017

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Serving a seamless society

Chinese firm eyes modern airport, seaport in Cotabato

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giant Chinese construction �irm has expressed interest in building a modern airport and seaport in this city through the approval of the national government.

Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi said Monday that representatives from the city government and China Engineering Construction (Shenzhen) Company are set to meet anytime soon to discuss matters about the proposed establishment of the city’s state-ofthe-art airport and seaport.

In a letter, the Shenzhen �irm said it would communicate with the multi-national Tomacapital Incorporated “to accomplish all challenges and tasks together with the company, along with the support

BOYS WILL BE BOYS. Two elementary students wade through flood water along Zunio Street in Brgy.

Ubalde, Davao City as they take a break from their classes on Wednesday morning. The drainage system

of both China and Philippines governments and people.”

Currently, the city shares the transport of business commodities here with Maguindanao’s Awang Airport in Datu Odin Sinsuat town and Polloc Port in Parang town.

“Being the center of trade and commerce in this part of Central Mindanao, it is but right for us to have our own airport and seaport facilities,” the city mayor said in anticipation that the Chinese �irm’s proposal would come in as form of a grant for future business dealings.

Guiani-Sayadi said Chinese traders had eyed the city as a prospective business hub following its improved peace and

CHINESE, P10

in the area overflowed after a compound where a hospital is being constructed released large volume of water brought by Tuesday night’s heavy downpour. Lean Daval Jr.

BRACING UP

DOE readies for smart grid technology

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

he Department of Energy is readying itself for the full-blast implementation of the smart grid market technology in the country’s power sector.

DOE undersecretary Felix William B. Fuentebella bared

that smart grid will empower electricity consumers using

the information communication technology gadgets.

“Smart grid will empower you as smartphone users to control your gadgets,” he said.

According to energy.gov, smart grid refers to a class of technology people who are us-

ing utility electricity delivery systems into the 21st century, using computer-based remote control and automation.

Fuentebella said information is vital in order to have ‘more’ productivity since it will

BRACING, P10

Seda Abreeza unveils exciting holiday offerings

INdulgeA1

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 178 •THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017

IN BOOK FORM AT LAST. President Rodrigo Duterte poses for a photo with co-authors of the coffeetable book ‘Duterte: Journey to the Presidency’ John Quineth Rodriguez, Edwin Espejo and Celso Fuentes as the

Skynora announces presence in Davao

By ANGIE SAVERON

S

kynora’s formally announced its presence in Davao on December 5 with a media launch in Marco Polo Davao.

This event introduced the start-up business called Skynora which will open on the second week of January 2018.

This was attended by Asaad Qureshi President and CEO of Skynora, Vice President Julie Go, Marketing manager Glenn Bagani, architech and other investors and invited guests

Skynora is a premium of�ice solutions that prides itself to be the �irst service integrated of�ice in Davao City, providing a cost-ef�icient, fully serviced BPO of�ice spaces.

“I’m not saying it’s a new concept here but it’s been here but it needs to be revitalized, we want to show that it is good for corporation huge companies not just BPO companies,” said Qureshi.

Skynora is strategically situated at Robinson’s Cy-

SKYRONA, P10

book was presented to the President at the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday evening. Also in the photo is Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MinDA bares positive growth for Mindanao

By JUDIE VEGA

M

Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) deputy executive director Romeo Montenegro underscored this during Wednesday’s Habi at Kape press forum.

He said proof of this robust performance is the huge positive recovery of the island-region’s merchandise trade which posted 8.46 percent growth or US$6.97 bil-

lion as of August 2017 as compared to last year growth at negative 22 percent or US$6.4 billion.

According to the records of Philippine Statistics Authority that bulk of merchandise trade transactions came from regions of Davao with 30.7 percent, followed by Northern Mindanao with 29.9 percent, Caraga with 19.7 percent and

lastly the Soccsksargen with 18.2 percent.

The region, he said, was among the top contributors to the national economic growth.

“The total merchandise export earnings from January to August 2017 recorded positive recovery at 27.9 percent from US$2.80 billion in 2016 to US $3.58 billion as of August 2017,” said Montenegro.

Montenegro revealed that there are �ive major exports of the island-region amounted to US$2.178 billion or 60.9 percent of the total principal export of the island-region.

“The top 5 merchandise

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porters, Alvarez said Galvante had been in of�ice for a year already, yet was still unable to address the unavailability of license plates nationwide.

Alvarez further noted that the license plate mess is not a major problem and can easily be resolved.

“More than 1 year ka ng

nakaupo dyan at wala pa ring plaka yung mga sasakyan.

Aba, the most logical thing for you to do is to resign. Ibig sabihin hindi mo kaya yung trabaho,” Alvarez said.

“Naging Secretary rin ako ng DOTC (Department of Transportation and Communications) before eh. I could

indanao continues to mirror its overall positive growth performance in the 3rd quarter of 2017 as revealed by the latest data of the Philippine Statistics Authority.

exports are Coconut (copra) and Kernel oil with export value of 40 percent, secondly is banana with 19 percent, third is Nickel mattes and nickel oxide with 155 followed by Nickel ores and concentrates with 14 per cent and lastly is fruits, nuts and other edible products with 12 percent,” he said.

He added that the Japan was the top export destination of Mindanao with a total merchandise export trade value of US$992 Million as of August 2017 and were followed

by USA, China, Netherlands and Korea with correspond-

not see any reason why hindi natin maibigay yung plaka.

Napakasimple na problema yan eh,” he added.

Alvarez said one of the campaign promises of President Rodrigo Duterte is to resolve the car plates and driver’s license problems at

MINDA, P10

LTO chief told to resign over license plate mess

Skynora vice preside Julie Go answers a question from the crowd during the Skynora Gala Night on Dec 4, Monday at Marco Polo Hotel. Together with her are Asaad Qureshi the CEO and President of Skynora (Right) and Gleen Bagani Marketing Manager of Skynora. Photo by Skynora

ouse Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Wednesday called on Land Transportation Of�ice chief Edgar Galvante to resign over the agency’s failure to release new license plates with an estimated backlog reaching 6 million.

In an interview with re-

LTO, P10

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 178 •THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017

JCI bares search for MOHSG

By JUDIE VEGA

T

he Davao chapter of the Junior Chamber International has launched its search on Wednesday at Habi at Kape for the Most Outstanding High School Graduate in Davao City.

Shandy Michael Sy , JCI Davao program chair said, on its 51st year, the Search for the Most Outstanding High School Graduate of Davao recognizes deserving high school graduates who exemplify academic excellence, community involvement and exemplary leadership.

“The invitations for the nominees for the MOHSG were already sent to different participating private and public schools in Davao city and we just need one nominee per school,” said Sy. According to Sy, MOHGS is

the most prestigious search in its category; nominees will use their knowledge, skills and talent, not just to get the title of Most Outstanding High School Graduate but also to make a contribution to their communities.

Sy said that, in order to qualify, a nominee must undergo a stringent selection process through a series of activities, to include, the presentation of academic and leadership achievement portfolio, by exhibiting their oral communication skills through a panel interview, and through the use of their skills and knowledge in contributing to the solution to the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

The fourth activity is by

TAKING OFF. Executive secretary Salvador Medialdea leads the ceremonial lighting of the Christmas Tree at the Malacañan Palace on Tuesday night. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Energy excess seen Survey: Japan’s women to yield investments too busy to fall in love

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ome 60 percent of eligible women in Japan are reluctant to start a love relationship due to the growing burden at work, The Japan Times reported Saturday citing a survey at cocoloni.jp, an online dating advice service.

As women today are facing the same workload as men in Japan, the ensuing fatigue has made women more willing to lounge on a sofa and watch soap operas after work instead of going to dates, said the report.

Of�ice love is no longer alluring and blind dates are

JCI, P10

even regarded as stressful and tedious which seldom bring satisfying results. One in four women admits having fallen asleep on a date due to tiredness caused by work, according to the survey.

Another online dating site Lovely Media says a growing number of women are quitting random dates because they think it’s a “waste of time.”

Instead, they make pregnancy their ultimate goal, thus turning to matchmaking routes for seeking an ideal husband.

Back in the 1980s, over

SURVEY, P10

By JUDIE VEGA

B

y the end of this year until early 2018, Mindanao will be seeing a different outlook in terms of power and energy as the region’s energy supply has been steady with an excess of about 700 to 1,000megawatts (MW),” said Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) deputy executive director Romeo Montenegro.

“This is a happy problem,” Montenegro said, referring to the oversupply of energy that Mindanao is experiencing, as he compared the situation �ive years ago when Mindanao

was struggling to have energy capacity to address rotating power outages It means good news for investments.

“The increase of invest-

ment, increase growth of the infrastructure industries de�initely will result to increase energy demand here in Mindanao,” he said.

Montenegro said Mindanao posted the highest ever recorded energy demand of 1,760 megawatts for this year.

He added that electricity supply has grown around 510 mega watts in terms of demand in Mindanao compared in 2012 where there is only 1,210 mega watts pick demands.

He said that �ive years ago

bloodless police operations. Dela Cerna graced this week’s AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel. Lean Daval Jr.

ENERGY, P10

Nograles says P3.767T budget impasse resolved

H NEW TACK. Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 spokesperson Chief Inspector Andrea dela Cerna talks about the current issues and concerns involving the agency and the procedure of conducting

they have been discussing on how to address the rotating brownouts in Mindanao and today the discussion is on how to devise a dispatch protocol on hungry industries that will make the demands increase for next year. “ You just have to imagine around 5-7 mega watts for every malls, hotels , real estate project, subdivision , commercial buildings and how many household were able to bring in new technologies, gadgets and appliances across the

ouse Appropriations committee chairman Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles said Wednesday that the impasse in the Bicameral Conference Committee regarding the proposed P3.767-trillion national budget for 2018 has been resolved.

“It’s ongoing (Bicam meetings). We’re not yet done but we’re over the hump so to speak,” Nograles told ANC Headstart in an interview.

“Last week there was sort of an impasse between the two panels, the House and the Senate because of several budget cuts that was done by the Senate in their Senate version which did not sit well with members of the House panel. So we had to �ind a way for us to be able to break that

impasse,” he said.

The two chambers are rushing the harmonization of their respective 2018 General Appropriations Bills (GAB) so that President Rodrigo Duterte may sign it on or before December 19.

One of the contentious issues that arose in the Bicam meeting last week was the Senate’s desire to slash P50.7 billion from the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) P62.68-billion rightof-way (ROW) and civil works allocation.

Worrying that it might stall the implementation of projects, the House leadership opposed it, resulting to the impasse.

Speaker Pantaleon Al-

NOGRALES, P11

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ASEAN delegates get taste of Ilocano flavors A

uthentic Ilocano flavors will be served Wednesday night to formally welcome over a hundred delegates to the ongoing Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) forum in this city.

Hosted by the Ilocos Norte government under the administration of Governor

Ma. Imelda Josefa Marcos at the Malacanang of the North, the dinner will feature tradi-

tional Ilocano foods such as “pakbet”, “bagnet”, “longganisa” and empanada.

directive for Lapeña to meet and closely coordinate with the Chinese government›s customs chief in an effort to reconcile the nagging discrepancy in trade �igures between the Philippines and China.

The �inance chief relayed his order through Customs Deputy Commissioner Edward Dy-Buco, who had attended the Execom meeting on Lapeña’s behalf. “Just remind the commissioner that he should invite the Chinese bureau of customs chief here.

You have to reconcile your �igures on the import-export data. Anyway, the difference is not anymore 60 percent.

It’s only 48 percent now, but that’s still large,” Dominguez said.

In 2010, registered Chinese exports to the Philippines was at $11.56 billion, but Philippine imports from China as reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) was only at $4.628 billion, resulting in a trade discrepancy of 60 percent or $6.936 billion.

For the �irst seven months

of 2017, Chinese exports to the Philippines was $17.77 billion, while the PSA reported imports from China at $9.24 billion, or a discrepancy of 48 percent or $8.53 billion.

Compared to the previous years and the same period in 2016, the January-July 2017 trade gap between China and the Philippines has been declining. From January to July last year, China’s exports to the Philippines was $17.10 billion, while PSA reported imports from China at $8.79 billion, or a discrepancy of 48.6 percent at $8.31 billion.

“It is going down but it›s still large,” said Dominguez.

“These numbers, we›re not sure if they’re apples to apples. The de�initive �igure will come out from Lapeña’s sitting down with his counterpart and working it out,” he added.

In 2015, trade data show that Chinese exports to the Philippines was $26.69 billion, against PSA’s records of imports from China of $11.47 billion or a gap of $15.22

really been advocating the use of safe and certi�ied Christmas lights. We want to continuously remind consumers that those which do not meet the standards may cause their lives and properties,” she explained.

As early as September, the agency already started its monitoring activities throughout the region to ensure that the Christmas lights being sold in the local market are all PS or ICC-certi�ied.

All certi�ied Christmas lights are imported with PS marks or ICC stickers. PS marks are for foreign manufacturers with PS Certi�ication Mark License, while ICC stickers are issued to importers

with approved ICC. The hologram ICC sticker contains security features that can be veri�ied by inspection with a seven-digit alpha-numeric serial number.

For 2017, all ICC certificates for Christmas lights issued by the Bureau of Philippine Standards from January 1, 2013 to present are still valid. Starting this year, the validity of the ICC certi�icates issued for imported Christmas lights shall be for a period of �ive years.

“Consumers should check that the name of the manufacturer, distributor and trademark are on the product packaging. If they want to gather

Customs told to verify import-export data gap

F

inance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has ordered Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña to meet “right away” with his counterpart in the Chinese government to check the narrowing but still signi�icant gap between that country’s registered export volumes to the Philippines and import �igures of�icially reported here.

Dominguez said of�icial trade data show that the estimated discrepancy between registered Chinese exports to the Philippines and registered Philippine imports from China has been declining but still very large, with the gap reported at 60 percent in 2010; 57 percent in 2015, 48.7 percent in 2016 and 48 percent in the January-July period of this year.

“I’ve asked Sid Lapeña to invite his Chinese counterpart to sit down and review the data,” Dominguez had told reporters.

During a recent Executive Committee (Execom) meeting of the Department of Finance , Dominguez reiterated his

As an expression of Ilocano hospitality, the governor invited the delegates to a welcome dinner in order to let them experience the best Ilocos Norte has to offer.

Aside from gastronomic delights, there will be classic entertainment also to high-

light the rich culture and traditions of the Ilocanos.

Sprawled on a �ive-hectare property next to the scenic Paoay Lake, the Malacanang of the North used to be the of�icial residence of the family of the late former President Ferdinand E. Mar-

cos.

It has been converted into a presidential museum and is being frequented by foreign and domestic tourists. It is also a favorite spot for wedding venues and state dinners of important visitors to Ilocos Norte. (PNA)

CUSTOMS, P10

DTI bats for certified, safe Christmas lights

T

he Department of Trade and Industry in Davao Region is urging the public to only patronize Christmas lights brands that adhere to mandatory standards.

The agency emphasized that uncerti�ied ones, or those which do not have Product Standard and Import Commodity Clearance certi�icates, may pose danger to the users and their properties as these may cause �ire.

DTI-Davao Regional Director Maria Belenda Q. Ambi said consumers must be cautious in buying holiday decorations, especially if such need electricity in order to work.

“For years now, DTI has

DTI, P10

IN EXCESS. Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) deputy executive director assistant secretary Romeo Montenegro reveals that currently Mindanao has a steady energy supply with an excess of about 700 to 1,000 megawatts which will

bring a different outlook in the island in terms of power and energy until early next year. Montenegro made the disclosure during Wednesdays @ Habi at Kape at Abreeza Mall. Lean Daval Jr.

Factory gate prices soar slightly in Oct.

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actory gate prices expanded slightly at 0.3 percent in October, reversing the previous year’s negative growth of 4.8 percent, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported Tuesday.

The PSA attributed the slight upturn for producer price Index (PPI) for manu-

facturing to the increases of eight out of 20 major sectors, including the increment re�lected by the heavily-weighted petroleum products with 7.8 percent.

Gainers during the month also included electrical machinery, basic metals, transport equipment, miscella-

neous manufactures, tobacco products, printing and textiles.

Fabricated metal products, leather products and furniture and �ixtures led the 12 sectors that posted decreases.

On a monthly basis, PPI likewise went up by 0.4 percent from previous month’s

FACTORY, P11

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PAL expands Foreign business Davao links

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he Philippine’s �lag carrier expanded its operation in Davao City to accommodate more clients and its adjacent municipalities and provinces.

Philippine Airlines president and COO Jaime Bautista said the opening of the new branch is their way of manifesting their commitment to continue serving their riding passengers from Davao and the adjoining municipalities.

PAL now has three branches in Davao City. Davao, he said is PAL’s busiest route with eight daily �lights from Manila and two to three �lights daily to Cebu.

“We are planning to expand operations in Davao although we already started the Davao-Tagbiliran route,” he said.

He said PAL is planning to operate a Davao-Siargao route as the airline �irm eyes to increase its presence from

Davao to more destinations in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

As this developed, he said PAL is expecting the delivery of two brand new 777 300 ER aircrafts this December that would �ly from Manila to US, London, and Canada.

“This will allow us to operate non-stop �lights with these aircrafts that are equipped with the most modern in�light entertainment system,” he said.

Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio lauded the expansion of PAL in the city.

Duterte-Carpio cited the airline company’s expanding business in Davao City and the growing business in the Philippines.

She said Dabawenyos are working hard that “our city become competitive and will be put in the map in the ASEAN community and not just the Philippine community”.

(Digna D. Banzon/PNA)

execs back TRAIN

Seen to benefit poor and middle class

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eaders of foreign business institutions and Cabinet officials have reiterated their support for the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act as a key factor in transforming the country into an investment-led economy that truly benefits the poor and grows a strong middle class.

Julian Payne, the president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, said the TRAIN will bene�it people with “lower-level incomes” and make the tax system more progressive.

“We applaud the administration for taking the initiative and embarking upon this major effort. We de�initely sup-

port the fact that [TRAIN] will maintain a responsible �iscal framework that will include funding for the public sector, for �iscal and social infrastructure, which will bene�it the poor as well,” said Payne, who represented the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines (JFC) at one of the earlier hearings of the Senate ways and

means committee on the proposed tax reform bill.

The Senate ways and means committee began the deliberations on the TRAIN, which was �iled in the chamber by Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III as Senate Bill No. 1408, last March 22.

The Senate began conducting plenary debates on the revised measure, SB 1592, on Nov. 22 and �inally approved it with substantial amendments last Nov. 28.

Meanwhile, House Bill No. 5636, is the TRAIN version approved by the House of Representatives last May 31.

The bicameral conference

committee tasked to reconcile the con�licting versions of the House and Senate versions of the TRAIN began its meeting last Dec. 1. It is expected to wrap up its �inal report this month.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III has expressed hopes that the bicameral conference committee could submit its �inal reconciled version of the TRAIN to Malacanang by the second week of December so that President Duterte could sign it into law before the Christmas holidays, in time for its publication before the end of the year and its effectivity by Jan. 1.

gagawa (SENTRO) said the inquiry as proposed by Senate President Koko Pimentel should help in preventing dumping incidents from ever occurring again.

The said groups are intervenors in Criminal Case No. 143-11191 being heard at the sala of Judge Tita Bughao-Alisuag of the Regional Trial Court of Manila against Canadian trash importer Adelfa Eduardo and customs broker Sherjun Saldon for violation of R.A. 6969, or the Toxic Substances and Hazardous and Nuclear Wastes Control Act.

Pimentel on Monday �iled Senate Resolution 553, stating that “considering the monumental consequences of allowing Canadian garbage to remain in the country, it behooves the Senate, in consonance with its mandate under the Constitution, to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, to determine whether there are suf�icient laws restricting the indiscriminate entry and dumping of solid waste and other forms of harmful trash into the Philippines and to formulate laws imposing

kilometers northeast of the capital. He died almost three hours later at a local hospital.

The attack occurred hours after Paez, a retired priest of San Jose Diocese and a national board member of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP), facilitated the release of a political prisoner in Cabanatuan, the provincial capital.

The RMP is a national,

inter-diocesan and inter-congregational organization of priests and lay people that works with peasants and indigenous people. Paez was also the group’s Central Luzon co-ordinator.

San Jose Bishop Roberto Mallari and other clergy condemned the killing and demanded justice for the 33-year-old veteran of the

FOREIGN, P11

Senate probe on Canada garbage in PH welcomed

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ivil society groups from the environmental and labor sectors welcomed the latest move by the Senate to address the unsettled Canadian garbage dumping issue weeks after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced “it is now theoretically possible to get (the illegal garbage shipments) back.”

The Ang Nars Partylist, EcoWaste Coalition, Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives , Public Services Independent Labor Confederation and the Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Mang-

SENATE, P11

Rage and grief sweep PH after priest’s killing

NO WATER IN SIGHT. A resident opens a faucet to check for water inside a home in Doña Pilar Village, Sasa, Davao City on Wednesday. Residential areas in Davao City’s 2nd District are experiencing

decade-long problem of insufficient supply of water which the Davao City Water District has yet failed to address. Lean Daval Jr.

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unmen killed a 72-yearold Catholic priest on the main Philippine island of Luzon on Dec. 4, a day after police killed a pastor they tagged as a member of the communist New People’s Army.

Unidenti�ied men shot dead Father Marcelito Paez around 8 p.m. while he was driving in San Leonardo town, Nueva Ecija province, 180

BRACING, P11

7 SUBURBIA RISING EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 178 •THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte meets with Robin and Mariel Padilla and their newly baptized infant Maria Isabella at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on November 23, 2017. Also in the photo is Special Assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence Go. (Photo by Ruji Abat/Presidential Photo)

GenSan cited for good financial housekeeping

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he city government’s continuing governance reforms received a major boost after it was awarded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) with the Seal of Good Financial Housekeeping (SGFH) for this year.

City Mayor Ronnel Rivera said the conferment of the SGFH mainly showed that the city government had been performing well in terms of internal �inancial housekeeping based on standards set by the national government.

He said it speci�ically means that the local government had spent public funds properly and with full transparency.

The mayor attributed such accomplishment to the strict adherence by the city government to the principles of transparency and accountability in governance.

The SGFH, which was given by the DILG through the Region 12 director Reynaldo Bungubung, was based on assessments made through the Local Governance Performance Management System.

Formerly known as

the Seal of Good Housekeeping, Bungubung said the city government was among the provinces, cities and municipalities that complied with the requirements for the seal.

He said SGFH recognizes local government units (LGUs) with “good performance in internal housekeeping, particularly in the areas of local legislation, development planning, resource generation, resource allocation and utilization, customer service and human resource management and development, as well as, in valuing the fundamental of good governance.”

The of�icial said LGUs must comply with the full disclosure policy by posting budgetary documents online and in their bulletin boards.

They should have no adverse or negative �indings in the annual audit report issued by the Commission on Audit, he said.

With the awarding of the seal, Bungubung said the city government could now access the Performance Challenge Fund (PCF), an incentive to every

GENSAN, P11

DPWH pulls out P4.8-Billion right-of-way funds from R12

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he Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) pulled out some P4.8 billion in road right-ofway (RROW) funds for Region 12 in the wake of the alleged multibillion scam involving fake claims in General Santos City and the neighboring areas.

Deputy House Speaker and South Cotabato Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez said Tuesday DPWH Secretary Mark Villar ordered the return of the funds from the region to the central of�ice pending proper validation of the RROW claims.

He said the move was in response to a letter that he and the eight other House members from Region 12 submitted to Villar regarding the fake

RROW claims and settlements in the area.

“He (Villar) pulled out the money so it would be returned to the central of�ice. Right now they’re carefully looking at all the (RROW) claims,” he said in an interview over Brigada News TV here.

Hernandez cited that their July letter mainly focused on the pending P4.8 billion worth of RROW claims in Region 12.

It was signed by South Cotabato �irst district and General Santos City Rep. Pedro Acharon Jr., Sultan Kudarat �irst district Rep. Suharto Mangundadatu, Sultan Kudarat second district Rep. Horacio Suansing Jr., Sarangani Rep. Rogelio Pacquiao, Maguindanao �irst district and Cotabato City Rep. Bai Sandra Sema, North Cotabato �irst district Rep. Jesus Sacdalan, North Cotabato seond district Rep. Nancy Catamco and North Cotabato third district Rep. Jose Tejada.

Also known as Soccsksargen, the region comprises the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Co-

M

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Regional Peace and Order Council (ARMMRPOC) here on Monday that the military is now hunting down a senior Maute leader, identi�ied as Abu Dar, who remains at large.

ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman presided the RPOC

meeting at the ARMM executive building Monday.

Abu Dar, a Maranao, was a member of the central leadership core of the Maute terror group and was seen in the video plotting the Marawi siege.

Government forces recovered the video. Siblings Omar and Abdullah, founders of the

tabato.

He said the letter was based on a complaint initially received by Rep. Acharon regarding supposed fake RROW claims and settlements in the city.

Hernandez said they immediately reported the matter to Sec. Villar, urging the latter to look into the complaint to protect government funds.

By then, he said they were informed that the DPWH regional of�ice already received some P4.8 billion for the settlement of pending RROW claims.

Owing to this, Hernandez said they asked Sec. Villar to stop the processing of pending RROW claims involving the

Maute group, were both killed in the almost �ive-month war in Marawi. The Maute patriarch, Cayamora, died of lingering illness while in detention in Manila. He was arrested by Task Force Davao operatives days after the siege in May. Cayamora’s �irst wife, Far-

DPWH, P11

AFP hunts remnant of Maute terror group

ilitary authorities said all of the seven Maute siblings who led the siege of Marawi City had died in clashes with government forces from May 23 to October 23.

Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez, Jr. of the Western Mindanao Command, told a meeting of the

AFP, P11

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

EDITORIAL

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 178 •THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017

Extra caution

rom hereon, information on the worrisome dengue vaccine administrated to 730,000 children should be taken with a lot of caution.

With the number of kids affected so staggering, any misinformation on the subject could lead to undue alarm for the families of these children. Hence, there is a need to take extra caution in handling this matter.

A report from the Philippine Star on Wednesday said that nearly a thousand children in public schools had fallen ill over a �ive-month period after receiving their �irst dose of the controversial dengue vaccine Dengvaxia. This report, which was said to be based on a draft report of the House of Representatives committee on health, is taken from the Department of Health (DOH) �indings that between March 18, 2016 and Aug. 20 of the same year, there were 997 “adverse events following immunization, 30 of which

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were considered serious cases that needed hospitalization.” The report said that there were two deaths.

Then again, there is the clari�ication that these “were not related to the immunization program,” which was launched in early 2016.

The mortality report also con�licted with that of the DOH which reported only two deaths from the information gathered by the committee on health which had at least four children dead.

The administration of the vaccine had since been suspended but more importantly, there must be continued vigilance on the dengue cases in the country and how to implement interventions as well as monitoring of the adverse events to any of the children administered of the vaccine.

We cannot be complacent with just the thought of the suspension.

EDGEDAVAO

E

lection time is always a period for euphoria not so much for the signi�icance it carries for those who win, but also because it’s the time when politicians malign and defame each other’s reputation. And when the victor makes it to the winning podium by a slim margin, chances are the contest will be raised to the judicial arena.

Such was the case (GR No. L-23827) of Santiago A. Silverio and Pedro Castro, who contested the mayoralty of Cateel, Davao Oriental on Nov. 12, 1963, with the former winning in the Board of Canvassers tally. Silverio, who was the protestant, got 1,754, while his rival, Pedro Castro, the protestee, obtained 1,769, or a plurality of only �ifteen votes.

As expected, Castro was proclaimed elected and took of�ice. His rival, though, �iled a protest before the Court of First Instance on Nov. 23, 1963, but Castro also �iled a counter-protest. While the case was heard, Castro died on May 6, 1964; in which case vice mayor Misael Clamor succeeded as new mayor.

On July 6, 1964, the court started deliberating on the electoral protest and two months later handed down a decision on Sept.

14, 1964, reversing proclamation

S

ome years back, an elementary grade pupil committed suicide due to poverty. There was also that case of a young man who jumped off from the �ifth �loor of a mall because of unrequited love. Still another man with a bright future ended his life because of a health problem.

Suicide is real. It should not be taken lightly. If you know someone who is telling that he or she may commit suicide, the fact is that he or she may do it. Ending one’s life is not a joke, after all.

In Davao Region, suicide ideation (also known as suicidal thought) is increasing among young people. In fact, the region ranked third in the country of having youth considering suicide as a way out of all the troubles they are facing.

“From the data we have right now, the mean age at �irst attempt to commit suicide increased from 15.3 to 17.0 years old from 2002 to 2013,” said Dr. Agnes Sampulna, the regional director of Population Commission Region XI. “Youth attempt suicide is due to family problems and quarrel with their partners or lovers,” she told Davao media in a press conference.

According to Dr. Sampulna, young people who have suicidal thoughts “have lower self-esteem, lower life satisfaction, and les happy than those who did not think of ending their lives.”

This is indeed very alarming.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 178 •THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Cateel poll: Winner by seven votes! of the the Board of Canvassers and declaring Silverio winner by seven votes.

Overall, Silverio got 1,740 votes while Castro had 1,733 votes. An appeal was �iled directly with the Supreme Court.

In the plea, the Court resolved that vice-mayor Clamor would intervene in favor of Castro, who died, as contained the court’s resolution dated July 22, 1965. For review were 119 ballots.

The ballots were then grouped into four. Based on the �inding of the high tribunal, they commented on the ballots as follows: In the �irst group, the court found no error, saying “[it] properly followed the rule that desistance from completely �illing the spaces in the ballot does not render the ballot marked. For here there admittedly is no evidence aliunde of a purpose to identify the ballots through said means, nor is said purpose clearly discernible upon the face of said ballots.”

In the second group, the Court dissected the CFI decision on the issues covering identifying marks that would nullify a ballot. “In the absence of clear and convincing proof that these nicknames were used to identify the voters,” the high court said, “the rule is that the use of nicknames of the One of the reasons why Filipinos commit suicide is due to depression. A few years back, the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO) listed 4.5 million depressed people in the country, considered to be “the highest incidence of depression in Southeast Asia.”

Only one-third of these depressed people seek professional help, the Department of Health reports. Besides, it is hard to detect depression among Filipinos. “People confuse depression for normal sadness,” Dr. Randy Dellosa, a psychiatrist, was quoted as saying.

Depression is a serious medical illness that involves the brain. It’s more than just a feeling of being “down in the dumps” or “blue” for a few days. It’s a kind of feeling that do not go away. They persist and interfere with a person’s everyday life.

The US National Institute of Mental Health have identi�ied the following as symptoms of depression: sadness, loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy, change in weight, dif�iculty sleeping or oversleeping, energy loss, feelings of worthlessness, and thoughts of death or suicide.

“After anxiety, depression is the most common mental health disorder,” notes “The Merck Manual of Medical Information.” Statistics show that 10% of people who see their doctors for what they think is a physical problem are actually experiencing depression.

FAST BACKWARD Antonio V. Figueroa candidates, accompanied by their name or surname, does not annul the ballot.”

In the third group, the SC, in appreciating eleven of the ballots presented under the cluster, said “the [CFI] a quo erred in not applying the rule of liberality in the appreciation of the ballots, and in arriving at the conclusion that said ballots are invalid upon the unacceptable premise that general appearance or pictorial effect is a reliable index of handwriting identity.”

In the fourth group, the SC cited

Suicide is real

THINK ON THESE!

Henrylito D. Tacio

“People who become depressed typically do so in their 20s, 30s, or 40s, although depression can begin at almost any age,” the Merck manual points out. “Depression affects a number of children and adolescents.”

The University of Maryland Medical Center says causes of depression are not fully known. However, some experts believe that depression is most likely due to a combination of genetic, biologic, and environmental factors.

Studies have found that close relatives of patients with depression are two to six times more likely to develop the condition than individuals without a family history. On the other hand, the basic biologic causes

its ruling As ruled by this Court in Tajanlangit v. Cazeñas, G.R. No. L18894, June 30, 1962, which states that “a vote for a non-candidate of the respective of�ice is to be deemed merely a stray vote and not a sign of marking in the absence, as herein, of evidence aliunde to the contrary.”

“An examination of said ballot,” it explained, “reveals nothing irregular to constitute marking; the size of the writing—maintained uniformly throughout—simply conforms to the space provided for in the ballot itself… the writing could well be the voter’s habitual one, there being no evidence to show otherwise. Said ballot was erroneously deemed marked.”

In �ine, the high tribunal rules in its February 28, 1967 verdict that the CFI ruling was reversed and “Castro, whose interest is succeeded to and represented herein by intervenor cum appellant Clamor, is declared winner by a plurality of seven (7) votes.”

In short, Clamor became mayor because the true winner had already died and as ie mayor he was required under the law to succeed.

This case is not only interesting because of the quirks that come with

the whole electoral protest. Five features may be cited as something unique in the annals of Davao politics.

First, the eventual winner got only a margin of seven votes, which is arguably the smallest in local politics. Second, the vice-mayor, who succeeded the protestee while the case was being heard, eventually succeeded as mayor as a result. Third, the SC, instead of the Commission on Elections, authoritatively discussed the validity of the ballots presented.

Fourth, it was the high tribunal that decided with �inality on the result of the election. And, �ifth, the true winner died even before the electoral case could be heard.

In recent memory, a similar smallmargin electoral contest took place in Davao City between Prospero Nograles and Jesus Dureza both congressional candidates for the �irst district. The latter won by a margin of only fourteen votes but eventually lost in the recount conducted by the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET). As a result, Dureza served two years (1988-90) while Nograles also served the same number of years (1990-92).

of depression are strongly linked to abnormalities in the delivery of certain key neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain).

Many prescription drugs can affect brain chemicals and trigger depression.

These medications include certain types of drugs used for acne, high blood pressure, contraception, Parkinson’s disease, in�lammation, gastrointestinal relief, and other conditions.

While no one really knows what causes depression, there are foods that can trigger depression. Take the case of high fructose corn syrup – or any processed sugar – which reacts negatively with serotonin — the happy hormone and excessive amounts in the body is also known to decrease energy and leave a person feeling fatigued.

Eating foods high in sodium may also lead to depression, health experts claim. Some studies claim that too much salt leaves a person feeling bloated and lifeless, plus it throws off the neurological system which can lead to depression. The American Heart Association recommends 1,500 milligrams or less per day.

Some people believe that alcohol can help them forget sad moments of their lives. But that’s not true. Alcohol is a depressant and that’s all there is to it. The more alcohol they drink, the more they need – which will leave them feeling extremely depressed over time.

“If you’re going to drink, we suggest limiting yourself to one or two drinks on occasion to prevent depression from sinking in,” one doctor suggests.

One of the best ways to �ight depression, according to some researches, is by consuming the right diet. It has been seen that consumption of foods rich in B vitamins (avocado, sweet potato, banana, black beans, asparagus, and watermelon, to name a few) has a positive effect on the mood of a person.

Doctors suggest that those who are feeling depressed should start eating apples, legumes, forti�ied cereals, malunggay and other green leafy vegetables, along with vitamin C-rich food items like calamansi juice.

Selenium has long been renowned as a cancer-�ighting food. However, very few are aware of the fact that a diet rich in selenium can help you �ight the symptoms of depression, too. You can get it from seafood, poultry, mushrooms, sea vegetables, and wheat.

More than 50 percent of our brain is made up of fats. The right kind of fats, if consumed in appropriate amounts, can help it in running smoothly. Omega-3 fatty acids – which can be found in seafood, like salmon, tuna or mackerel �ish, along with nut oils – are the ones that have been associated with boosting the mood of an individual and driving depression away.

10 NEWS

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 178 •THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017

BRACING... FROM 1 not develop a well-informed consumer if they do not know how the power sector works.

“We cannot develop a well-informed decision maker in the consumer without knowing how much the generators are producing, whether it is conventional or renewable. We cannot empower them if they don’t know how the transmission works,” he said.

“Then, what are the combinations of the DUs whether came from renewable energy or conventional plants, the percentage used and the individual price,” he said.

He said the technology will promote fairness and transparency on the part of the consumers, and accountability on the part of service and generation providers.

“We have to develop a market that embraces a system that has transparency, fair in the �ield and accountability, the fault if there is a problem on the power distribution will

be now pinpointed,” he said.

Fuentebella said there will be a system operator and market operator as soon as this technology will be implemented in the country.

He said the requirements of having this electricity market with sophisticated technology is to have a spot market and renewable energy market (REM).

Fuentebella said the DOE is now conducting series of consultation for the REM in the Philippines which they started last Wednesday in Davao City. He said on the part of Mindanao, they are now hastening things since the island still have no electricity sport market.

Fuentebella said the spot market is a requirement for the REM and both markets are needed for the smart gird. He said the DOE has targeted to open the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) in Mindanao June of next year to catch up on the proposed smart grid.

order situation.

City police records indicated some 55 percent drop in crimes the past several months following the declaration of martial law in Mindanao by President Rodrigo Duterte to address threats of terrorism and other forms of lawlessness as brought about by the Marawi incident.

Showing support to the President’s declaration, city lawmakers had crafted an ordinance for the establishment of Discipline Hours barring Cotabateños from roaming the city streets between 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. even after the President would order the lifting of the martial law.

(PNA)

bergate Delta along J.P Laurel Avenue Bajada District.

The company envisions to become number 1 BPO Solution and Seat Leasing Company and minimizing cost at the same time in Davao City.

What makes Skynora unique is that it offers a seat leasing services and rent options for IT-BPO and call center companies interested in setting up business operations here in the city.

“It will be different, what we do here in Davao city is we do rental spaces per square meters but for Skynora it is seat leasing,” said Go. Aside from that they also offering limited private of�ice spaces in the 4th �loor, ideal for satellite of�ices inclusive of the internet, pantry access, meeting room and boardroom access and lounge.

The fourth �loor which will open next year is a 5,000 sq meter in total and can cater to 492 seats.

“It’s a mixture of BPO seat leasing and co working spaces,” said Go. The �loor is divided into three; 1st quadrant can cater more than 200 agents.

Second quadrant can accommodate 119 people and the third quadrant is 700 sq.

Meters which will be allotted for co-working spaces and private of�ices.

“I don’t want to limit it on BPO because there are also other companies who might want to lease like insurance companies,” Go added.

The initial budget for this project was not disclosed during the interview.

She said there are a lot of inquiries from clients in other places. “We can cater clients from other place who would want to have a satellite of�ice in the city,” she said.

Some of their clients are insurance company, BPO industry and a few from Manila companies. Skynora also caters to freelancers who wish to have their own of�ice.

“If we tackle all this three categories (seat leasing, co-working space and private of�ices , it will attract more business,” said Qureshi.

The building has a 24 hour security, cctv cameras and biometric security that will ensure the safety of their clients.

Parking space is also available for thier clients.

CHINESE... FROM 1

SKYRONA... FROM 2

ACTIVE PARTICIPATION. Task Force Davao commander Colonel Nicolas Mempin discusses the efforts being conducted by the organization and other security forces on the peace and order

MINDA... FROM 2 ing total export trade value of US$642 million.

“Mindanao’s export will continue to grow fast and be-

comes competitive in the international market due to the currency movements in our exchange rates,” he said.

the LTO. “Isa yan sa mga issues na ni-raise ng ating Presidente nung siya’y kandidato palang na bakit ‘pag bumili ka ng sasakyan e mag-aantay ka ng ilang taon wala pa ring plaka. Ano ba ganun ba kahirap yung plaka?” Alvarez said.

The Commission on Audit had earlier ruled that the

license plate deal between the LTO and the Plates Development Concepts Incorporated - J. Knieriem B. V. - Goes Philippines Inc. (PPI-JKG) is in violation of the procurement law.

The PPI-JKG bagged the PHP3.8-billion contract to supply the LTO with car plates in 2013. (PNA)

public speaking in the culminating event.

According to Sy, the MOHSG inspired youth to aspire for curricular and extra-curricular excellence, and to apply their skills, talents and knowledge to create positive change in their respective communities.

“This December 9 nominees will gather at Rica Glad Catering and Function Hall for an orientation and enrichment session as they will be trained on how to design and implement sustainable projects

with impact, “he said.

He added that the culmination is on March 27, 2018 at Abreeza mall Activity Center where the �inalist will compete in the Self-Introductory and Impromptu Speaking Contest and the overall winner shall be chosen based on the cumulative scores from the activities of the search by panel of judges composed of notable members of the local community.

“MOHSG application for nominees is available online and no need to submit it personally, “he said.

60 percent of young people in their 20s in Japan were in a relationship, while today this group is in the minority, The Japan Times said.

Shorter working hours,

guaranteed maternity and paternity leaves, and a less forbidding atmosphere will go a long way in getting women to think about love,” it concluded. (Xinhua)

growing population in Mindanao, “ he said.

Among the demands he noted are the mushrooming of malls, hotels, resorts, real estate projects and other industries in major cities and

centers in the island-region sum of all of these is 510 mega watts energy demand in Mindanao.

Montenegro however emphasized that the energy capacity excess is also an issue

LTO... FROM 2

JCI... FROM 4

SURVEY... FROM 4 ENERGY... FROM 4

campaign and against illegal drugs. Mempin was among the guests during this week’s AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum at The Royal Mandaya Hotel. Lean Daval Jr. that need to be addressed.

He described the current energy situation in Mindanao as a complete turnaround, saying “the beauty of the current situation we are enjoying around 600-700 mega watts excess and moving towards to possible 1,000 mega watts excess in early part of next year where big power plant is coming on line of power plants that

are nearing completion and up for commercial operations this year and early 2017 are among the factors that contributed to the huge energy excess in Mindanao” “This is the kind of situation we wanted in Mindanao where our electricity supply is very much able and capable in delivering power when we need it most,” he added.

another proof of the product’s quality and certi�ication, they may also ask for a copy of the actual certi�icate,” she added.

The mandatory certi�ication of LED Christmas lights or lighting chains shall be implemented by the BPS using PNS 189:2000 as reference to protect the consumers from the proliferation of substandard LED Christmas lights in the local market.

Exempted from the mandatory certi�ication scheme are the following: •Christmas lights integral in Christmas trees/decors; ·Rope lights; •Meteor tube lights/stick lights/laser lights; •Christmas lights using Edison screw lamp holder; •Battery-operated Christmas lights; and, ·Other types may be exempted subject to further veri�ication by the BPS. For the complete list of certi�ied Christmas lights, consumers may visit www. dti.gov.ph. Regular consumer

updates are posted as well on DTI-Davao Region’s of�icial Facebook page: DTI Region XI. Meanwhile, DTI released a number of consumer tips when buying Christmas lights.

Among them are the following: There must only be three cascades (not more than three sets of 100 bulbs are connected to each other); •Always turn off the Christmas lights when it is time to sleep. Never light them up overnight; ·Never use sets that have damaged wires and busted bulbs; ·When replacing bulbs, make sure that the replacement has the same wattage; and, •Always read the instruction manual.

Ambi encouraged the public to report to the nearest DTI of�ice immediately should they �ind uncerti�ied or substandard products or have been victims of unscrupulous business practices. (DTI)

billion. In 2016, the gap narrowed, with Chinese exports to the country at $30.35 billion, against PSA records of imports of $15.56 billion or a discrepancy of $14.79 billion.

The Bureau of Customs is now focusing on China, one of the Philippines’ largest

trading partners, to check the gap in export volumes to the Philippines and the shipment �igures of�icially reported here by importers, as part of its ongoing efforts to institute reforms in the agency, run after smugglers, and improve revenue collections. (DOF)

DTI... FROM 5

CUSTOMS... FROM 5

INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 178 •THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017

FOOD

EDGEDAVAO

Seda Abreeza unveils exciting holiday offerings

IF THERE IS ONE THING we Dabawenyos look forward to during the Christmas season, it is the never-ending parade of parties with good friends, as well as the good food that come with each and every event.

Last December 1, Seda Abreeza held a Christmas party for their media and blogger friends and together with the party, they introduced their holiday offerings and packages for Christmas and New Year’s eve.

A Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve Mass will also be held in the hotel, from 6PM to PM on the night of the 24th and the 31st to further solemnly remember this season’s occasion.

Christmas made more delicious Misto, the hotel’s all-day-dining restaurant, offers Yuletide Set Meals for lunch and dinner from December 2017 to January 2018, diners can choose from BaconWrapped Pork Loin with Cherries, Gravy, Pan-seared Tuna with Champagne Cream Sauce, all three-course set ends with a decadent Black Forest Trifle.

On December 24th, hungry diners are in for a culinary showcase from Seda’s culinary team with the hotel’s signature SlowCooked Roasted Angus Beef Short Plate with Rosemary Gravy making a grand entrance along with other favorites as Orange and Madeira-Glazed Ham with Raisin Sauce, Lechon, Bourbon-Glazed Pork Belly Chunks, Cajun-Spiced Chicken, and Warm Camembert Brioche.

And what is a holiday spread without dessert right? You can spoil your sweet tooth with a spread of Rustic Black Forest, Caramel Apple Crisp Cheesecake, Tiramisu Yule Log, Strawberry and White Chocolate Mousse, Red Velvet Peppermint Cake, Snowman Choco Cupcake.

The Noche Buena buffet is available at Php 1680 nett for adults, Php 880 nett for kids aged 7-12, and free for kids aged 6 and below.

A starry starry new year An “Under the Stars” Party awaits guests for New Year’s Eve at Seda Abreeza. Before the countdown party, one can have their fill at the Media Noche dinner buffet at Misto.

This includes free-flowing drinks and cocktails from 7PM to 1AM, with exciting games and prizes the entire night.

Dine, wine and party ‘til midnight with a live band and a guest DJ. Guests may enjoy this dinner and countdown package at Php 3080 nett for adults, Php 1580 nett for kids aged 7-12, and free for kids aged 6 and below.

For inquiries and reservations, please call (082) 322 8888 or email dvo@sedahotels.com.

A2INdulge!

FOOD

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 178 •THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017

Inside the kitchen ALWAYS surround yourself with people who loves to eat, cook and celebrate even without a particular reason. Have fun; life’s way too short to make it even shorter. Be a maverick and do things.

Explore. You’d never end up regretting the things you’ve done, only of the things you did not do.

And that’s how a pep talk should be whenever your tummy growls and everyone around you is on a diet. Yeah right.

Kusina sa Subli is one of my many favourite restos in the city. Not that I have a list, that is. Being that it is near my place, it’s also where Lokalista is — the store my friends and I conceptualised. And it won’t take a genius to know that we have fused the two together — with the use of local edible products in preparing the dishes at Kusina sa Subli.

On the menu are old faves tweaked to recreate a most delicious dish that’s not only sensically delicious but supports

local products as well. Case in point, their buffalo wings. A personal fave, I’ve always been one to munch on a plate and eat with my bare hands. Now, Kusina has incorporated locally produced chili oil and Kinamayo chili paste to make it even tastier. The verdict? The spice makes it even more nakakatakam.

Honey glazed chicken has never tasted this sweet and savoury at once. The crunch on the chicken and the sweet glaze are just perfect for one another.

The meat, on the other hand, is juicy and tender that you won’t need any condiments on the side. For this dish, we opted to use Davao’s very own, Renais-

sance honey — every bottle is guaranteed to give you 100% pure, wild honey. Now, that’s how you experiment inside the kitchen.

One of Kusina’s best seller is their crispy fried Crispy Pata.

Enjoyed with bottles of beer or consumed with cups of freshly cooked rice, this dish is always a hit amongst diners. Kusina sa Subli chef opted to keep the flavours of this dish intact and instead, added a local touch for the sawsawan. As Filipinos, we love our sawsawans. For this, Yvonne’s Native Suka added more depth to the already rich dish.

Lumpia is certainly life. At Kusina, their lumpia is made with veggies hence perfect for the likes of me. Crunchy on the outside, the filling compliments the savoury cooked veggies on the inside without being umay.

The addition of Seloy’s native suka to the dish is so Pinoy — to say the least. The spiced native suka, for me, is spicy, yes, but not overly spicy -- it’s just pure bliss on every bite.

These are just some of the tweaked recipes on Kusina’s menu. Experimenting on the kitchen with local products that are proudly Mindanao not only enhances the taste and depth of any dish, it makes it even more personal. Lokalista products are also available at Kusina sa Subli.

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

VOL. 10 ISSUE 178 •THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017

EVENT

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

Christmas for the senses CHRISTMAS is all about fun and family and this season gets more festive as Sony Philippines unveiled their newest products last November 23 at the Sony Center at the third level of the Abreeza Mall.

The launch featured Sony’s Bravia OLED TV, the all-new Sony Xperia XZ1 and XA1 Plus smartphones, and the towering MUTEKI MHCV90DW high power audio system.

Party sounds like no other Filipinos are all for great and powerful sounds, and Sony is here to answer just that. The High Power Audio System MUTEKI MHCV90DW from Sony is massive, in terms of size, quality, features, lighting and sound. Standing at an impressive 170cm tall, the large tower design of this speaker means music can be seen and heard in the best possible way. Light up the night with the brilliant lighting feature options, and with the excellent sound quality, the V90DW is truly a party machine.

Packed with advanced technology and sound pressure to bring high quality sound to cover a wide range and reach a larger area, the V90DW boasts of bigger and better speakers that call for great parties.

Smartphone plus entertainment The Sony Xperia XZ1 and the XA1 Plus are strong additions to Sony’s current line-up of phones

and both are expected to help unleash creativity and deliver unparalleled entertainment to local Sony fans.

The Experia XZ1 uses the latest in 3D capture technology and is one of the first phones to feature it.

Imagine capturing images in three dimensions with the scans usable for printing on a 3D printer.

The XZ1’s The Motion Eye camera enables Super Slow Motion that is four times slower than any other smartphone and Emotion Capture cleverly ensures you get the shot you want thanks to the four shots it takes before you even press the button—best for catching facial expressions.

The Xperia XA1 Plus on-theother-hand is a 5.5-inch full HD smartphone. Using Sony’s ClearAudio+ technology, it is like having a TV on your fingertips. Combine the clear display with a 23-megapixel rear camera with a large 1/2.3inch Exmor for mobile sensor and Hybrid Autofocus one is sure to capture high-quality photographs.

Television redefined To say that Sony’s Bravia OLED TV is a modern work of art is an understatement. With its cutting edge design and the latest technologies, TV-viewing will never be the same again.

The all new OLED display made of over 8 million self-illuminating

pixels and precisely controlled

by Sony’s X1 Extreme processor.

Giving viewers the deepest blacks and natural colors. This TV pairs the brilliance of 4K clarity with the brightness, color, and detail of High Dynamic Range (HDR), and can handle a variety of HDR formats, including HDR 10, Hybrid Log-Gamma, and Dolby Vision.

For cinephiles, it means clearer images and unprecedented details, for gamers it means more exciting worlds to explore and conquer.

Another feature unique to the Bravia OLED TV is its Acoustic Surface technology. Unlike most TV speakers, sound comes to you from the entire screen, immersing you in exciting new entertainment experiences. It’s pictures and sound in perfect harmony.

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 178 •THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017

Globe Live! creates new holiday tradition with ‘A Christmas Carol’

December 2 – 5, 2017 Only

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THE HOLIDAY RUSH and its corresponding crush of activities often leave little room for Filipino families to enjoy the spirit of the season with their own meaningful celebrations. As with traditions, there are parties and reunions left and right with extended family, officemates and friends that you may only see once a year. This leaves less time for families to enjoy memorable bonding moments with the kids.

It is for this reason Globe LIVE and 9Works Theatricals are restaging A Christmas Carol, with snowfall and Scrooge’s dramatic transformation from a penny-pincher to philanthropist providing a highlyentertaining backdrop for a new family tradition for this season.

The timeless tale by Charles Dickens was a big hit last season, with 3,000 in attendance on Christmas day, but that is not the reason why they are restaging the Ahren and Menken musical. Joe Caliro, the musical’s Executive Producer and Globe Head for Creative Marketing and Multi-Media Services, says that it was in their plan from the very beginning to have a restaging of the show. “We decided that we wanted to make what is for me the best Christmas property in the world and turn it into a new tradition for the Filipino families.”

Franco Laurel as the Ghost of Christmas Past.

Both Caliro and Robbie Guevarra, 9Works director for A Christmas Carol, say the restaging will offer a new experience, with a fresh set design by Ed Lacson Jr., new direction, and new choreography.

Half of the cast will also be new, including Franco Laurel as the Ghost of Christmas Past, to support theater veteran Miguel Faustman, who reprises his role as Ebenezer Scrooge. Tiny Tim will be played alternately by cuties Jaime Yupangco and Elai Estrella.

“The play will definitely be different from last year’s,” the director

declares.

Another new aspect introduced this year is the opportunity to share the Christmas spirit with the scholars of the Hero Foundation. A Christmas tree will be set up at the Globe ICONIC Theater, and people can buy ornaments and hang them on the tree. Proceeds of this endeavor will fund the Hero Foundation scholarships for children of our fallen soldiers. This fundraising effort resonates with A Christmas Carol’s lesson on sharing blessing with others this season.

The Globe LIVE re-staging of A Christmas Carol is in line with the Globe advocacy of offering its customers new online and offline experiences that help them enjoy more out of life. Caliro says, “we have been disrupting certain spaces, and now we are disrupting theater by producing a play that will run in December instead of November as what everybody is used to. We want to offer a Christmas activity that can be enjoyed by the Filipino family that is looking to create its new traditions.”

The Globe LIVE and 9Works Theatricals staging of Menken & Ahren’s A Christmas Carol will run on December 4 to 10, December 14 to 17, and December 21, 22, and 24 to 27 at the Globe ICONIC Theater in the Bonifacio Global City. For more information, tickets, and for show schedules, visit Ticketworld.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 178 •THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017

NOGRALES... FROM 4

varez even dared senators to reenact the 2017 national budget (worth P3.35 trillion) instead in the event the disagreements between the two chambers persist.

“The good news is it has been broken. Yesterday (Monday) we came into an agreement that the budget cuts that were done by the Senate particularly on DPWH will no longer push through based on our meetings so that will not carry in the Bicameral Committee version,” Nograles said in the interview.

Nograles said the differences were ironed out after the DPWH and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) gave their inputs to the lawmakers.

“I think Monday the DBM and DPWH were able to explain very well that these were part of the Build Build Build program of the Duterte administration. And doing those cuts, the P50.7-B, the P50.8-B cuts will really affect the infrastructure program of the DPWH and the administration.”

The DPWH will be at the forefront of the P9-trillion infrastructure modernization program spanning the next �ive years.

Asked what will become of the DPWH budget slash being sought by the Senate--primarily Senator Ping Lacson-Nograles answered: “We’re �inalizing still but much of the P50.7-B cut will be restored.

So we’re looking at probably, maybe P4 billion to be cut.”

Nograles explained that proponents of the DPWH budget reduction might have misunderstood the importance of the ROW budget.

He illustrated it by using the example of a new road project, the construction of which will affect settlers in an area.

“What Senator Lacson wanted was, let’s do right of way without the civil works.

The problem [with that] is we very well know that once you are able to get the settlers to relocate but they don’t see any infrastructure being done, then chances are those settlers will come back. And there might be even more,” he said.

“On the ground, right of way issues really have to be resolved while the project is being conducted. So it’s like a chicken and egg problem. If you don’t put the budget for right of way then you don’t have anything for the government to use in order for the settlers there to vacate,” the Appropriations chair further said.

Passing the 2018 GAB before year’s end will avoid the scenario of a reenacted budget.

Nograles said also included in the amendments to the budget is the P20 Billion or more additional fund for the increase in the salaries of soldiers, policemen and other members of the uniformed service.

Nograles also noted that the P900 Million fund which was slashed from the PNP’s anti-drug campaign dubbed “Oplan: Double Barrel” was realigned to the National Housing Authority for the for housing program of the men and women in the uniformed service. (House of Representatives)

rate of negative 0.3 percent with 14 sectors posting a positive growth, led by transport equipment and furniture and �ixtures.

Only three sectors, food manufacturing, footwear and wearing apparel and non-me-

tallic mineral products, posted decreases.

The response rate for October 2017 is 79.5 percent, which corresponds to the retrieval of 597 establishments’ reports out of the 751 samples for the survey. (PNA)

FACTORY... FROM 5

FOREIGN... FROM 6 Payne said the JFC is also backing “the intended reduction in corporate and personal income taxes in the sense (that it will make us) competitive with our ASEAN neighbors” and develop a business environment that will encourage foreign investors.

Wayne Bradford, a senior advisor of the International

Tax and Investment Center, commended the Department of Finance (DOF) led by Secretary Carlos Dominguez III for its thorough work on TRAIN, which “is generally consistent with important economic principles that guided most tax reforms worldwide.” (DOF)

high penalties for the introduction into the country of all forms of trash.”

“Sen. Pimentel’s proposal to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation is exceedingly timely and should merit the

support from all Senators regardless of their political af�iliations. We expect the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, chaired by Sen. Cynthia Villar, to convene the �irst hearing

SENATE... FROM 6

11

EDGEDAVAO in January next year as the current session is about to adjourn soon. We look forward to an expedited process as the same committee, then chaired by Sen. Chiz Escudero, had already tackled the issue at a hearing conducted in 2015,” said Dr. Leah Paquiz, Ang Nars Partylist representative to the last Congress.

“We welcome the probe being sought by the Senate President as this would assist in analyzing the gaps in current laws and regulations that made it possible for the illegal trash shipments to enter our ports and even overstay despite a court order to send them back. More importantly, it will help in identifying corrective measures that must be introduced and promulgated to shield our nation from the adverse impacts of the unlawful waste trade to public health and the environment,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition.

“The outcome of the planned inquiry should put a lid on the entry on problematic waste imports into the Philippines in the guise of recycling, which has become a convenient excuse for dumping. Hope the Senators will join us in pushing for the country’s rati�ication of the Basel Ban Amendment to bar

the entry of hazardous wastes in our territory for disposal and so-called recycling,” said Froilan Grate, Executive Director, GAIA-Philippines.

“The inquiry, we hope, will generate concrete results that will help strengthen frontline agencies such as the Bureau of Customs and the Environmental Management Bureau in performing their strategic responsibilities toward safeguarding our country and our workers from the transboundary movement of proscribed wastes,” said Annie Geron, President, PSLINK. The groups pledged to participate in the proposed Senate inquiry and support its important work in line with the state policy “to protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology.”

“The Senate inquiry should create enough noise that will put additional pressure on Prime Minister Trudeau and his government to take back their trash now.

As there is no guarantee that the ‘theoretical possibility’ he was talking about last month was for real or not, we call upon all sectors to remain vigilant and assert our sovereign right not be treated as Canada’s dumpsite,” the groups said.(ECOWASTE COALITION)

priesthood who retired in 2015.

In a statement, Bishop Mallari said Paez once headed the justice and peace desk of the diocese’s social action commission, bringing him in close contact with poor workers and farmers.

The attack on Paez followed the Dec. 3 killing of Pastor Lovelito Quinones of the King Glory Ministry in Mansalay town, Mindoro Oriental, almost 800 kilometers southwest of Manila.

The police regional mobile force said they killed Quinones in a �ire�ight, tagging

him as a member of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Kin and critics, however, denied the charge and said police “planted” a gun after shooting Quinones just �ive minutes away from his residence. The victim was subjected to a parra�in test, which yielded a negative result, according to Christina Palabay, executive director of the human rights group Karapatan.

A parra�in test is when a cast is made from a suspect’s arm, which is then subjected to a chemical test to check for gun powder residue. (UNION OF CATHOLIC ASIAN NEWS)

LGUs in the form of counterpart funding for projects in the Annual Investment Program.

The PCF program provides subsidy of P3 million for the cities, P1 million for municipalities and P7 million for the provinces.

He said the covered projects are tourism and local economic development, disaster

risk reduction, and management and solid waste management.

These include school buildings, rural health units, water and sanitation system, local roads and bridges, slaughterhouses, �lood control, reforestation, postharvest facilities, cold storage facilities, among others.(AC/PNA)

hana, matriarch of the seven slain terrorists, was arrested by police in Masiu town, Lanao del Sur in August. She and two other sons were facing rebellion charges.

Speaking during the RPOC meeting, Galvez said that Abu Dar is the probable successor

of Omar and Abdulla Maute.

“He can likely assume leadership of Maute terror group,” he said.

Mayor Dimnatang Pansar of Butig, hometown of the Mautes, corroborated Galvez assertion that all the Maute brothers had died.

BRACING... FROM 6

GENSAN... FROM 7

AFP... FROM 7

Several Maranaos who have “Maute” as family name were either held for questioning or have gone underground for fear of getting arrested.

“We will help them return to their communities but subject to coordination with the police and the military,” Hataman said of the “good Mautes,” as their town mates ostracized some of them.

ARMM Vice Governor Al Rashid Alonto-Lucman told reporters his daughter’s classmate in medical school surnamed Maute had dropped from school after the siege.

He said the Maute girl is in a dilemma when to continue studies.

Speaking to the Lanao town mayors, Hataman said local government executives should have strong government presence in their towns to prevent thriving of terror-

ists, like the Maute siblings.

“War is destructive. We have to prevent con�licts within our level �irst before we let the military come in,” Hataman said.

Hataman also ordered the local executives to help locate Abu Dar who, according to military intelligence sources, is leading the regrouping of terrorists in Lanao del Sur. Galvez rallied the local executives to help �ight terrorism at their level.

“If we fail, we will give these violent religious extremists an issue they can use to generate hatred to the government and entice prospective recruits to join their fold,” Galvez said.

Hataman also vowed his administration has enough funds to help rebuild Marawi and the surrounding towns affected by the con�lict. (PNA)

P4.8 billion funding until they are convinced of the legitimacy and whether the claimed amounts are reasonable.

“We wanted to make sure that all claims would be properly validated and audited to make sure that the valuations are correct and the money would be paid to the rightful claimants,” he said.

Aside from the pullout of the RROW funds, Hernandez said Villar ordered changes in the procedures regarding the claims.

It involves the conduct of separate stringent validations by the district and regional of�ices of all RROW claims.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II disclosed two weeks ago an alleged scam involving some P8.7 billion in RROW

settlements in the city and neighboring areas based on supposed �ictitious and fabricated documents.

He has directed the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate the scam, which was based on revelations made whistleblower Rodolfo Catapang Jr. Catapang, who hails from this city, said the fake claims were made by a syndicate that he was previously a part of and involved prominent personalities, among them Eldon Cruz, brother-in-law of former President Benigno S. Aquino III. The ongoing investigation has included former Department of Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad and former DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson.(PNA)

girls; · “Support legislation at the local and national levels that protect the rights and promote the welfare of women and girls, especially against gender-based violence; · “Eliminate all forms of sexism and gender inequality, including content and practices that may legitimize or trivialize gender-based violence, in teaching, research, psychological interventions, assessment and other psychological programs; · “Encourage psychological research that addresses the experiences and concerns of Filipina women and girls in the context of safety, gender-based violence, and sexual dehumanization; · “Disseminate and apply accurate and evidence-based information about gender-based violence and

its harms to mental health and well-being; · “Design and provide psychological services that foster mental health and wellbeing of women and girls, address the harms of gender-based violence, and contribute to a culture of gender equality.”

“It’s our responsibility to make people realize that VAW is not okay. Let’s also educate the youth about this,” Dr. Regala was quoted as saying. “It’s not that there has been no improvement. But we need to more vigilant. So that the Philippines will be totally non-discriminatory and pro-gender.”

Guterres echoed the same concern: “It is time for united action from all of us, so that women and girls around the world can live free from all forms of violence.”

DPWH... FROM 7

SLEEPING... FROM 12

12 BIGGER PICTURE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 178 •THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017

Sleeping with the enemy (Second of Two Parts)

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO Photos taken from the net

“Ang babae, minamahal ‘yan, hindi sinasaktan.”

That statement came from a movie which was spoken by actor Robin Padilla.

But despite this, women and girls all over the world are being hurt, abused (sexually and verbally), abandoned, and battered.

“Every woman and every girl has the right to a life free of violence. Yet this rupture of human rights occurs in a variety of ways in every community.

It particularly affects those who are most marginalized and most vulnerable,” said Antonio Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General.

During his time, Nobel Peace Prize winner Ko�i Annan also said: “Violence against women and girls is a problem of pandemic proportions. At least one out of every three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime with the abuser usually someone known to her.”

All things being equal, both men and women experience violence against opposite sex. But it’s the women – wives, daughters, aunts, nieces, even mistresses – suffer the most as they are considered “the weaker sex.”

Feminists and health and social workers call it violence against women or VAW. The Declaration on the Elimination of Violence

Against Women (1993) de�ines VAW as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.”

VAW has been featured in several movies. When she could no longer endure the pain he had in�licted on her, the wife cuts the manhood of her husband in the controversial �lick Loretta. In another �ilm, Ika-11 na Utos: Mahalin Mo ang Iyong Asawa, Aiko Melendez played a battered wife to abusive husband Gabby Concep-

cion.

Several Philippine laws for the protection of women’s rights have been passed. These include: the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act (RA 9262), Anti-Discrimination Against Women Act (RA 6725), Women in Development and Nation Building Act (RA 7192), Rape Victim Assistance and Protection Act (RA 8505), Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710), and the Anti-Traf�icking in Persons Act (RA 9208) and its expanded version (RA 10364).

“The passage of local and national laws has helped women and the general public break its silence about VAW but it has not eradicated the violence,” deplored Leah Emily Miñoza, executive director of Women Studies and Resource Center of Southern Mindanao Region.

In fact, VAW continues to rise. In Davao City, for instance, cases have been increasing: 422 cases in 2005, 815 cases in 2006, 1,034 cases in 2007, 1,155 cases in 2008, 1,634 cases in 2010 and 1,450 cases in 2011. Within an 8-year period, there was an average increase of nearly 800%.

The same thing is happening in almost all parts of the country. “Yes, there is an increase in reported cas-

e s , but w e cann o t s a y why,” admits an of�icial of the D e m o c ra t i c Socialist Women of the Philippines, a national federation of women’s grassroots communities. “Part of it may be a natural development due to the increased awareness of the laws meant to protect women.”

In 1998, the local government pass the Women Development Code of Davao City (Ordinance No. 5004) making a history as the �irst city in the country to pass such kind of code. In 2011, it enjoined all the 182 barangay units to create their respective violence against women and children desks as a support to the full implementation of laws protecting women and children against violence.

In some parts of the country, VAW is unheard of. “Not many people are aware that they are guilty of even minor degree of VAW. Why? Because it’s part of our culture that there is gender inequality, so many stereotypes about women,” Dr. Angela Regala, president of the

Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP), was quoted as saying by the Rappler. “We haven’t been very vocal about it. So those that are not well-informed think that VAW is the normal practice.”

VAW is common but it is not normal. Loren Legarda, author of various laws on the protection of women, said that the responsibility to end VAW does not only lie with the government but also with everyone in the community, starting with the family.

“We all have signi�icant women in our lives – mother, wife, sister, daughter, or even a close friend. We all have to support this cause if only to ensure that the women in our lives would not be helpless, discriminated, or abused and would have the strength to �ight for their rights. We can only stop VAW through our collective efforts,” she said in a statement.

According to Guterres, there is an increasing evidence that VAW is linked to other attacks, including violent extremism and even terrorism. “This violence, the most visible sign of pervasive patriarchy and chauvinism, directly impacts women’s physical and psychological health. It affects whole families, communities and societies.”

His call: “It’s time to further our collective action to end violence against women and girls – for good.

That takes al of us working together in our own countries, regions and communities, at the same time, towards the same goal.”

In order to eliminate gender-based violence, especially violence against women and girls, the PAP resolves to support efforts to: · “Oppose all public and private forms of gender-based violence, especially physical, sexual, and psychological violence directed toward women and

SLEEPING, P11

VOL. 10 ISSUE 178 •THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017

PDEA welcomes PNP return to drug war

T

he Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Tuesday welcomed the return of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to the government’s anti-drug operations as ordered by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.

“PDEA welcomes the decision of the President. It has been the desire of PDEA that PNP will return in the �ight against illegal drugs,” PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino said in a statement.

On Tuesday, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque announced in a press brie�ing that the President has signed a memorandum circular directing the PNP to provide active support to PDEA in the conduct of anti-drug operations.

PDEA, however, will remain as the lead agency in the government’s anti-drug campaign.

The PDEA chief admitted the need for other law enforcement agencies to par-

ticipate in the anti-drug campaign, saying that his agency is “undermanned, underequipped and inadequately funded.”

From the time it was given the sole responsibility in the conduct of anti-drug operations, PDEA conducted a total of 2,161 anti-drug operations from October 11, 2017 to December 4, 2017 that resulted in the arrest of 750 drug personalities and seizure of PHP104.10 million worth of illegal drugs. (PNA)

Cagayan de Oro City on March 3.

The Mindanao Finals will be hosted by Davao City on March 24.

For Luzon, the preliminary is on January 27 and 28 in Sorsogon, Quarter Finals on February 24-25 in Lucena City, Semi-Finals on March 17 in Pangasinan and Finals on April 7 in Baguio City.

In Visayas, the preliminary is on February 3-4 in Ormoc City, Quarter Finals on Feb. 17-18 in Bago City, Semi-Finals on March 10 in Antique and the Finals on March 31 in Maasin City.

The National Champion-

ships will have its preliminaries on April 14-15 in Mandaluyong City, Quarter Finals on April 21-22 in Tagbilaran City, Semi-Finals on April 28 in Tagum City and Finals on May 5 in Gen. Santos City.

The categories in the Junior Boys and Girls Division (15 to 16 yrs. Old are the Pinweight (44-46 kg.), Light �lyweight (48 kg.), Flyweight (50 kg.), Light Bantamweight (52 kg.) and Bantamweight (54 kg.) while in Youth Boys (17-18 yrs. Old) are Light �lyweight (46-49 kg.), Flyweight (52 kg.), Bantamweight (56 kg.), Lightweight (60 kg.) and Light Welterweight (64 kg.)

The Youth Girls (17-18) only has four weight categories – Light Flyweight (45-48 kg.), Flyweight (52 kg.), Bantamweight (54 kg.) and Featherweight (57 kg.).

The cut-off date in the Junior is from 2001-2002 while in the Youth is 1999-2000.

This is open to all amateur boxing clubs, organizations, teams and local government units. However, only one team per LGU/team is allowed to participate.

“No national boxers in the PSC roster will be allowed to join the tournament to give newcomers a chance to participate,” said Ramirez. (PNA)

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 178• THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 178 •THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017

Pinay belles continue unbeaten run in Pacific Games

HUDDLE. The Philipines girls squad in a huddle before the game against ACT.

By NEILWIN JOSEPH BRAVO Games today 2 pm -- Philippines vs.

Victoria 4 pm -- Philippines vs.

South Australia

A

USTRALIA -- Glory Alonzo continued her mastery of the opposition’s batting line yielding only one hit to anchor the Philippines to a 9-0 win over Australia Capital Territory (ACT) to continue its unbeaten run in girls softball of the 10th

Paci�ic School Games.

For yet another scorching day at Adelaide Shores in West Beach, the Pinay softballers banked on Lozano’s steady pitching as the 16-year old standout from Domingo Lacson National High School in Bacolod, fanned six batters from the taller Canberra nine.

Lozano dazzled ACT’s batters with a variety of fastballs, sinkers and off speeds.

The win gave the Philippines its �irst win in the bracket round matches and its eighth overall win after closing out the eliminations with a 2-0 spanking of ACT earlier.

The Pinays advanced spotless to the bracket round matches and are two wins shy of making the playoffs.

“The girls played with a lot of composure. They have adjusted well to the competition and the

weather and hopefully, they can carry it through their next matches,” said Commissioner Charles Raymond Maxey of the Philippine Sports Commission who heads the delegation here.

The Philippines is bracketed in Pool A with ACT, South Australia and Victoria.

In boys basketball, the Philippines won its third win in �ive outings against Canberra.

WINNERS. Winners of the recent1st Rancho Palos Verdes Member-Guest Best Ball Twosome tournament receive their prizes during the awarding rites on Sunday at the RPV Clubhouse. Boy Lim

Discovery ground PSC-Pacquiao Boxing Cup set Dec. 16-17 in GenSan

T

he newly-launched Philippine Sports Commission-Sen. Manny Pacquiao Amateur Boxing Cup will kick off with the Mindanao leg on December 16 and 17 in General Santos City.

The event is organized and sponsored by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) in coordination with the of�ice of 8-division world champion Sen. Manny Pacquiao.

The amateur boxfest follows a weekend boxing tournament format across the

country in a bold bid to scout potential amateur boxers that can be included in the pool of national boxers.

“This project will call for the nationwide development of the interest and participation in boxing as a sport,” said PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez.

After the preliminary in Gensan, the Mindanao Quarter Finals will be conducted in Kidapawan City on February 10 and 11 while the Mindanao Semi-Finals will be in

DISCOVERY, P13

COLLABORATION. Sen. Manny Pacquiao and PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez are teaming up for the new nationwide amateur boxing program. PSC photo

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VOL. 10 ISSUE 178 •THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2017