Edge10 issue 207 January 19, 2017

VOL. 10 ISSUE 207 •FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 19-20, 2018

www.edgedavao.net

EDGEDAVAO

P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

Serving a seamless society

GLOBE EMPLOYEES GIFTS. Edge Davao represented by its product development officer Richard Ebona turns over gifts given by employees of Globe Telecom Davao to House of Hope Foundation represented by

its event organizer Loranie Celmar and some cancer patients on Thursday. Globe Telecom Davao and Edge Davao have made a partnership to give love and joy to their chosen beneficiaries. Lean Daval Jr.

HIGH SPEED LGBT bet elated

Planned Mindanao train to run at 200kms/ hour

By JUDIE VEGA

T

he envisioned Mindanao Railway system will operate a high-speed train with an average speed of 200 kilometers per hour.

Mindanao Development Authority executive deputy director Romeo Montenegro said the speed is based on the technology adopted for the railway.

He said high-speed train is just one of several types of trains. In long distance travel, high-speed railway is more

viable than a customary train which is usually found in cities or within the metro.

“Generally, high speed rail runs at speeds above 200 km/h (120 mph) operating on dedicated track specially constructed to accommodate high speed travel,” Montenegro said the gov-

ernment funded the �irst segment of the project through the 2018 budget of P35.257 billion covering 102 kilometers will comprise eight stations, namely: Tagum; Carmen; Panabo; Mudiang (in Bunawan, Davao City); Davao Terminal; Toril; Sta. Cruz; and Digos.

A 10-hectare depot will be built in Tagum.

The railway, as mentioned

by Montenegro, will operate on a speed twice more than

100 kph. With a high-speed train, travel time between Tagum to Digos for instance

HIGH,P11

Colorful pages from 2017

with PCUP post

By ARMANDO B. FENEQUITO JR.

T

he representative of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community in Davao City is elated after he was appointed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte as one of the new commissioners of the Presidential Commission for Urban

Poor .

Norman Baloro, the outgoing Davao City Social Service and Development Of�ice district coordinator, said on Thursday’s I-Speak Media Forum he is overwhelmed since he will have the chance to work it

LGBT,P11

2 NEWS EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 207 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 19-20 , 2018

PAYING RESPECTS. President Rodrigo Duterte greets the members of the Pinnacle Club of ASEAN who paid a courtesy call on him at Malacañan Palace on Wednesday. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

City 75% Nene : ‘Uphold our Davao set for DAVRAA rights to speak out’

By ANGIE SAVERON

P

T

he founder of the PDP-Laban — the political party that boasts of a “super majority” in the House of Representatives — on Wednesday urged the public “never to allow any super majority to trample on our rights to speak out” as he reiterated his opposition to a noelection scenario in 2019.

“We must never allow any super majority to trample on our rights to speak out,” the 84-year old former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel, founder of the Partido ng Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), said at the hearing of the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendments.

He also urged members of the minority not to be silenced and to stand up to the majority. Pimentel’s son, Aqulino III, is the Senate President and concurrent President of the

PDP-Laban.

Last week, the elder Pimentel told MindaNews that suggestions that the adoption of the federal system would preclude elections and extend terms of government of�icials is, “to be kind, utter nonsense.”

The House Committee on Constitutional Amendments on Tuesday presented its proposal to set up a Federal Republic of the Philippines that in effect would call of the 2019 elections as Congress will be dissolved in favor of an Interim Parliament whose members will be the in-

he National Telecommunications Commission 11 has recommended 30 radio stations in Davao region to stop operations due to lack of permit and for other violations.

NTC 11 Regional Director Nelson Canete said the recommendation for issuance of cease and desist order was a result of ocular investigation of radio stations operating in different cities and municipal-

Former Senate President Aquilino “Nene” Pimentel, Jr., cumbent Representatives and Senators, effectively extending their terms to 2022. The term extension will also apply to all

incumbent elective of�icials.

Also on Tuesday, the House plenary passed a resolution

ities particularly in Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental , Davao del Norte, and Compostela Valley provinces.

The recommendations submitted to NTC central of�ice do not yet include two ra-

dio stations in Davao City that use bamboo poles for their transmitters. These radio stations, which are still subject to further investigation, are located in Matina and Toril,

NENE,P10

NTC wants 30 radio stations to close shop T NTC,P10

reparations for the Davao Regional Athletic Association meet 2018 is 75 percent complete with Davao City as host for the third time. . The DAVRAA meet 2017 will be held on February 17- 23, 2017. The opening ceremony will be held on February 18, Sunday at the University of Mindanao Matina Branch.

“We are on the implementation stage and by percentage we will be having 19 playing venues and we are now on 75 percent ready for the competitions,” said Principal Bernabe “Bobby” Alicaya, Diviswion Sport Director during the iSpeak press conference on January 18, Thursday.

Alicaya said that the delivery of the set of equipment to be used in all sport events, the remaining 25 percent is what they are trying to address. Some of the equipment is from other country that is why it takes time.

He said that the different city government departments such as the of�ice of the city mayor,

the city engineer’s of�ice, the general service of�ice (GSO) and other departments are in close coordination in order to ensure that they meet the deadline by the end of the month.

“Today, we are on the implementing this phase.

Having coordination with some other institution, the private institution who are also working with us making sure that Davao city will be glori�ied after the DAVRAA meet,” he said.

The prudent number of of�icial delegation for the DAVRAA is approximately 7500 who will participate however they are expecting around 8,000 delegates to come. He said there will be 12 billeting quarters to include technical of�icials, which will be housed at City High National High school 674 technical of�icials.

“As to preparation we have a lot of malls, hotels, we have a lot of playing venues from the private sectors and the city government is doing everything that they can extend

DAVAO,P10

VOL. 10 ISSUE 207 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 19-20 , 2018

EDGEDAVAO

NEWS 3

Drilon agrees SC can’t interfere in Cha-cha

S

enate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Wednesday said that he agreed with the statement of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno that the Supreme Court could not interfere in the process of amending the 1987 Consti-

tution.

“I concur with the observation of former Chief Justice Puno that the Supreme Court cannot interfere in the process of amending the constitution, because it is a political question,” Drilon said in an in-

DRILLON,P11

Samal dads want PCG to coordinate with City

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amal Island dads want Coast Guard to coordinate with City before stopping seacrafts during typhoons Due to the recent two experiences of many people getting stranded in wharfs as the Philippine Coast Guard ordered stoppage of seacraft travel between Samal

Island and Davao City due to typhoons Vinta and Agaton last December, several members of the City Council of the Island Garden City of Samal asked on Tuesday the agency to coordinate with the City Government before issuing no-travel orders to seacrafts during typhoons.

ASSURED. A member of Central 911 firefighting team closes the valve

Avenue after a fire that hit a hardware has been declared under con-

SAMAL,P11 of a fire hydrant at the junction of Gen. Luna Street and R. Magsaysay trol on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr.

6,000 Davao kids 37 Davao City lawyers join Over given measles vaccine Singapore legal aid mission M

By ANGIE SAVERON

A

total of 37 Davao City lawyers led

by Rogelio Largo, president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Davao City chapter, flew to Singapore this week to conduct a legal aid mission in that city state, January 20-21.

The group is joined by IBP-Davao City past presidents Caesar Europa and Edgar Ilagan, Largo told Edge Davao in a pre-departure

statement.

Largo said that on Saturday, January 20, of�icers of the IBP-Davao City chapter will meet up with their coun-

terpart of�icers in the Law Society of Singapore. The encounter will include a friendly basketball match between the teams of both groups.

On January 21, the Davao City lawyers will conduct lectures on the laws against traf�icking and violence against women and children (VAWC), as well as provisions in the Family Code on marriage, property and support

at the Philippine Embassy.

The IBP-Davao City lawyers will also conduct oneon-one consultations with some 200 overseas Filipino workers expected to attend the gathering.

The Singapore mission is the second similar activity of the chapter for the bene�it of OFWs, the �irst one being held last year in Hong Kong.

AS

ore than 6,000 children were given measles vaccine in Davao City after cases of the deadly but preventable disease were reported among workers of two call center companies last week.

Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, head of the Davao City Health Of�ice, said that after the reported cases of measles among call center workers, an outbreak response immunization (ORI) was immediately conducted in various barangays in the city.

She said they were concerned that the cases of measles among call center workers will lead into an outbreak and will affect children. At least 16 call center workers were found positive of the measles virus last week. They were told not to report to of-

�ice to avoid the spread of the virus.

In just a span of two days, the CHO was able to immunize 6,000 children.

“We decided to immediately conduct the ORI because children are the most vulnerable ones in times of measles outbreak. We intend to cover the entire city to ensure that the children are safe and protected,” she said.

A single case of measles can potentially lead into an outbreak given the highly-infectious nature of the virus, Villafuerte said.

A total of 222 cases of measles had been recorded by the CHO since November 2017 until January 12 of this year. 154 of which came from November to December while 68 was recorded in January alone. (CIO)

SEC backed for action on Rappler

CUT OFF. A resident of Doña Pilar Village in Sasa, Davao City checks a faucet for water as supply was already cut a day before the scheduled start of the 96-hour water interruption on Thursday. Davao City Water District (DCWD) said 30 percent of its customers will experience 24

to 96 hours water interruption starting today due to the alignment of pipes as a result of the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) widening of Ma-a Bridge. Lean Daval Jr.

T

he Securities and Exchange Commission has legal grounds to revoke the registration of Rappler, according to Virginia-based Filipino group US Pinoys for Real Change in the Philippines Lawyer Arnedo Valera, chairperson of USPRCP, said in a statement Rappler had violated the SEC regulations and the Philippine Constitution provision that mandates full Filipino control of local media companies.

The Constitution requires

100-percent Filipino control for any local media entity, while the Securities Regulation Code (SRC) states that control goes beyond ownership of shares and any form of control is control.

Valera said the SEC decision was independent as it was issued by appointees of former president Benigno Aquino III, adding that it was based on the 1987 Constitution enacted during the term of the late president Cory

DAVAO,P11

4 ECONOMY EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 207 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 19-20 , 2018

Car sales up 18% to over 425K units

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ales of automotive vehicle manufacturers in the country rose to 425,673 units in 2017, up 18.4 percent from 359,572 units in 2016, joint report of Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines, Inc. (CAMPI) and Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) showed Wednesday.

Commercial vehicle buoyed the industry sales last year as it rose 26.4 percent to 286,249 units from 226,384 unit sales in 2016.

All sub-segment of commercial vehicle likewise grew double digit.

Light commercial vehicle sales increased by 29.7 percent to 189,248 units in 2017 from 145,863 units in its previous year.

Asian utility vehicles grew sales by 20.3 percent 79,886

units in 2017 compared to the 66,380 unit sales in 2016.

Sales of light trucks as well as trucks and buses categories four and �ive had increments ranging from 15 to 39 percent.

Light trucks sold a total of 9,888 units last year while trucks and buses category four had 4,845 unit sales and category �ive with 2,382 units.

On the other hand, sales of passenger cars grew single-digit in 2017 from a double-digit growth in its previous year.

Sales of passenger cars went up by 4.7 percent last year from a 14.4-percent growth in 2016.

Passenger cars’ sales reached 139,424 units in 2017, improving from 133,188 unit sales in 2016.

CAR,P11

WITH COMMUNIST PARTY OF CHINA DELEGATION. Officers of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. and Davao City Vice Mayor Bernard Al-ag pose for posterity with the members of the Communist Party of China delegation headed by His Excellency Meng Xiangfeng, member of the Central Committee of Communist Party of China (CPC), Executive Deputy Secretary (minister-level) of the Working Committee for Organs Directly under the CPC Central Committee, Deputy Director of the CPC Central Committee General Office. The Communist Party of China (CPC) held a briefing entitled “Thematic Briefing on the 19 th National Congress of Communist Party of China”,

a blueprint for China’s social and economic development drawn by the 19 th CPC National Congress held last October 2017. The purpose of the visit is to exchange views on promoting people-to- people relations and pragmatic cooperation between two sides. The assembly happened on January 10, 2018 (Tuesday) at the Session Hall of Sangguniang Panlungsod, San Pedro, Davao City. (Left to Right) DCCCII Trustee J. Ricky Tagabucba, 2018 Vice President for Professional and Service Ventures John Carlo Tria, Trustee Marilou Ampuan, 2018 Vice President for Trade and Commerce

says teachers PDIC sets bidding of assets Diokno deserving of pay hike of Mindanao’s closed banks B Team briefs DCCCI officers on Feb. 27 activity

T

he Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) will conduct public biddings of assets of closed banks in Mindanao in Davao City on February 27. This was announced by a three-member team from the PDIC during a conference with officers of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. headed by Arturo M. Milan, president, and Antonio dela Cruz, chairman.

The February 27 bidding scheduled at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas along Quirino Ave. corner Jacinto Extension is the last of a series of three public biddings for assets of closed rural banks in the country, starting on February 15.

The Davao City bidding involves the sale of 104 Real and Oher Properties Acquired (ROPA) owned by various closed banks with combined minimum disposal price of P63.9 million.

The ROPA consists of agri-

cultural, commercial and residential lots located in Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Bukidnon, Compostela Valley, Davao del Sur, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Surigao del Norte.

The properties will be bid out on an “as-is, whereis” basis. Sealed bids shall be accepted by the PDIC ROPA Committee from direct buyers only between 9:00 A.M. and 1:45 P.M. on designated dates at the respective ven-

ues.

February 15 and 19 public biddings in Metro Manila The �irst public bidding on February 15 will be for the sale of 79 ROPA, 10 motor vehicles and two generator sets with an aggregate minimum disposal price of PHP93.3 million. The ROPA consists of agricultural, commercial and residential lots located in Metro Manila and in the provinces of Batangas, Bulacan, Cavite, Ilocos Sur, Laguna, Misamis Oriental, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Rizal. A �ishpond in Malabon City is also up for bid.

The second public bidding on February 19 will be for the bulk sale of 438 residential lots, located in Green Farm Royale Subdivision, Barangay Pulong Bunga, Silang, Cavite with an aggregate lot area of 94,514 square meters. A reserve price is set and bidders may submit the best

offer for all 438 lots.

Both public biddings will be held at the PDIC Training Room, 9th Floor, SSS Building, 6782 Ayala Avenue, cor. V.A. Ru�ino St., Makati City.

For the complete list of properties, bidders may check the PDIC website, www.pdic.gov.ph, for easy reference. Prospective buyers are advised to physically inspect the properties they are interested to buy, examine and verify the titles and other evidence of ownership, and determine any unpaid taxes, fees, charges and/or expenses before submitting their bids.

Bids will be opened starting at 2:00 P.M. Each bid should be accompanied by a bond/deposit equivalent to at least 10% of the submitted bid, in cash or Manager’s Check, or a combination thereof. The Manager’s

digital commerce, retail, and telecommunications.

“We have priority sectors. Technically those sectors have (a) big impact on consumers,” she said.

She said the market studies aimed to provide the Commission an objective assessment of these nine priority sectors.

“The Commission will identify competition concerns and would prioritize

those concerns and we (will) �igure out how we proceed with those concerns. We can open a case or simply do advocacy,” Quimbo added.

The commissioner said that almost all the market studies would be bid out, while some would be undertaken by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).

Aside from these market

studies, the PCC will also do market scoping on certain manufacturing sectors.

Meanwhile, PCC Commissioner Johannes Benjamin Bernabe clari�ied that the market study on the telecommunications sector was a separate exercise from the antitrust body’s review on the PHP70-billion transaction of PLDT Inc., Globe Telecom, and San Miguel Corp. (SMC). (PNA)

PDIC,P11

PCC to do market studies on 9 sectors

T

he Philippine Competition Commission would conduct market studies on nine priority sectors this year to identify competition concerns, PCC Commissioner Stella Luz Quimbo said Wednesday.

In a media brie�ing, Quimbo identi�ied the sectors as rice, meat and poultry, pharmaceuticals, land transportation, air transportation, agricultural credit,

udget and Management Secretary Benjamin Diokno on Wednesday said he was not opposed to any increase in public school teachers’ pay but stressed that this should be done after careful study and the last tranche of state workers’ pay increase by 2019.

This after teachers’ group hit the Department of Budget and Management Secretary for discounting the doubling of public school teachers’ salaries, which Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque indicated as a possibility after President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision on policemen’s pay hike.

In a brie�ing, Diokno said doubling the pay of public

school teachers requires the government to produce about PHP343.7 billion this year alone, which account for around two percent of gross domestic product .

The contribution to GDP of the required amount will increase the projected budget de�icit level this year to �ive percent of GDP, which is way above the three percent ceiling set by economic managers.

“This may put at risk the excellent international �inancing standing the Duterte administration has build over the past 18 months,” he said.

Diokno, thus, cautioned people against questioning his statement on the pro-

DIOKNO,P11

IKEA to announce opening 2018 date

S

wedish furniture company IKEA was planning to announce targeted opening date in the Philippines within the year, IKEA Sustainability and Communication Director Lars Svensson said Wednesday.

In an interview on the sidelines of Responsible Business conference in Makati, Swedish Ambassador Harald Fries said IKEA was planning to open its �irst Philippine store early 2020.

Asked about this, Svensson neither denied nor con�irmed saying “until (they) have everything �irmed up, that’s when (they’ll) announce the date of opening.”

“I can say that within this year, we’ll announce it,” he said, explaining they were

concealing it for the meantime so as to avoid in�luencing property prices.

“It’s just that it is an aspect of not fuelling speculation because the size of the company and the size of the brand equates to the interest, that’s a positive thing for us but we do not want to drive speculation where we’re going to be in�luencing property prices etc.,” he said.

“Absolutely, it is no secret we’re eyeing the Philippines to open next IKEA,” he added.

Svensson said they were highly optimistic about “the maturity and the development” of the Philippine economy. “We really believe it’s a place that is ready in terms of capacity and industry that could support.” (PNA)

VOL. 10 ISSUE 207 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 19-20 , 2018

EDGEDAVAO

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6 ECONOMY

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 207 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 19-20 , 2018

EAGA holds potential for Palawan goat raisers

T

A group of fishermen spends their afternoon drinking coconut wine locally known as “tuba” after a day of fishing at the beachfront near Sta. Ana Wharf in Davao City on Thursday. Lean Daval Jr.

he Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) holds a promising potential for goat raisers in Palawan when the Buliluyan-Kudat sea link opens.

Leonardo Enriquez of the Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Production Coordinating Of�ice said Wednesday that there was a growing demand for goat meat (also known as chevon) in the neighboring countries of Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, and Malaysia and the sea connection could help raisers in the province.

“It’s a big industry, and the private sector seems to be failing to notice this. But it’s a big industry,” Enriquez said.

He said the province alone could not cope with the increasing demand considering that the three countries had big consuming popula-

tions of goat meat.

Enrique added that Palawan was only into smallscale goat raising. But with the opening of the Buliluyan-Kudat route next month, this might soon change.

“There will be an increase in trading business with the opening of the sea link, and it can contribute by a very large extent to our livestock raisers,” he said.

The DA can support goat raisers by establishing a semi-processing plant for products that can be marketed to these neighboring countries.

He cited the province’s advantage of having vast tracts of land for livestock raising, particularly goats.

“Goat raising is easy; it’s not really hard to take care of them. On disease prevention, we have a lot of veterinarians who have the capacity to help the goat raisers,” he added.

(PNA)

he Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday reported that deployment of Filipina caregivers to Israel reached 2,922 from January to December 2017, compared to 2,850 during the same period in 2016.

Citing the Philippine Embassy in Israel’s report to the Department of Labor and Employment, the 2017 deployment of Filipino caregivers in Israel increased by 2.53 percent year-on-year.

Labor Attaché to Israel Rudy Gabasan noted that although there was an increase in deployment for 2017, this is just minimal compared to the 24.6 percent growth in 2016.

Per the DFA, the high placement fees before coming

to Israel is a signi�icant factor to this slight increase in deployment.

Although the minimum wage for household service workers in Israel is bigger than the rest of other Middle East countries, caregivers coming to Israel still pay for exorbitant placement fees which is illegal in both the Philippines and Israel.

To address the problem, the agency said the Philippine and Israeli governments are negotiating a bilateral labor agreement.

The Philippine Embassy expects the deployment of Filipino caregivers in Israel to increase further once a bilateral labor agreement is �inalized between the two countries. (PNA)

Direct flight sought for Davao, Tokyo T

Hiring of PH caregivers to Israel up by 2.53%

To make connectivity work

By JUDIE VEGA

T

he Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. batted for the establishment of a direct flight between Davao City and Tokyo in Japan to strengthen connectivity.

Newly-elected DCCCII president Arturo Milan said this can be worked out with the help of Japanese tour operators.

“We plan to attract more Japanese tourists to come to Davao City and the only way to make connectivity work is to start with a charter �light,” he said.

Based on data last year, the City Tourism Operations Of�ice revealed that the Japanese were the second in the list of top 10 for-

eign visitors with 12,510 Japanese who traveled in the city.

Milan said that the proposal to establish a direct route between Davao and Tokyo was brought up by the two Japanese travel operators who bared interest on the connectivity citing the historic ties as there were Japanese who settled in the city backed in 1900s.

“If we are targeting Japanese tourists, then we have to have a complete

package, not only for Davao but probably also for Mati, Surigao, and the nearby component cities to make the tourism package to be more exciting and attractive to the Japanese,” he said.

He said that DCCII priorities this year is to boost

the connectivity of Davao International Airport and looking more international links between the city and other foreign destinations, among them Tokyo, China and Hong Kong.

Milan revealed the existing international links are from the city to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

“The Davao-Singapore route was serviced

by SilkAir and Cebu Pacific while the Davao-Kuala Lumpur link was initiated

by AirAsia, “he said.

Milan said that there is a potential in any area they just have to ensure that the air links would be sustainable.

As of January 13, the number of participants for the 1st Ironman challenge here has risen to 1,800. The race will start here and will extend to nearby Tagum City .

Alejandre said with the remaining weeks for registration, the number can still reach up to 2,000 participants while the number of visiting tourists can triple at that time.

“We will also celebrate

the 81st Araw ng Davao this March, so we can really expect a big number of tourists. We are also looking at ways on how we can control the traf�ic congestion during these days,” he said.

Aside from the three events, the city is also preparing for the month-long Visit Davao Fun Sale this summer and the 33rd Kadayawan festival in August. CIO

Milan said that there has yet to be a speci�ic airline that will handle the �light as he noted that traf�ic is important to keep the direct �light sustainable.

Milan assured this will come easily once the Davao-Japan traf�ic had been �inalized and established between the two countries.

Dad sees string of events to up tourist numbers

C

ouncilor Al-Ryan Alejandre, the chair of the committee on tourism, said the series of major events taking place in the city would help boost tourist arrival �igures.

Alejandre made the comment as the City Tourism Of�ice said it was hoping the tourism �igures this year could surpass the two million registered last year.

Alejandre said in February, the city will celebrate Chinese New Year and with close cooperation with the China Town Council, the event was hoped to attract a number of foreign and local tourists already.

“We will also have the Ironman 70.3 challenge this March 25, we can expect a huge group of tourists through this event,” Alejandre said.

Metrobank plans to raise its capital

B

anking giant Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company plans to raise fresh capital to �inance the expansion of its loan portfolio and acquisition of a stake in a credit card provider.

Metrobank told the local bourse that its board of directors approved on Wednesday a Stock Rights Offering of up to 819,827,214 common shares equivalent to the remaining unissued shares from its authorized capital stock.

The timing and size of the transaction are still subject to offer price and receipt of regulatory approvals, as well as

market and other conditions.

Metrobank is optimistic that the robust growth of the Philippines will continue to support the prospects for accelerated loan expansion across the various segments of the economy.

It seeks to capitalize on the growth opportunities of large cap corporates and the middle market and small to medium enterprises (SME) segments, its core franchise.

“The capital raising exercise is expected to enable the Bank to pursue these business prospects to sustain the

METROBANK,P11

7 SUBURBIA RISING

EDGEDAVAO VOL. 10 ISSUE 207 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 19-20 , 2018

With three large lakes, the municipality of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato has a vibrant ecotourism economy based on the aquaculture of tilapia grown in floating cages. Photo by Henrylito D. Tacio

Mayor warns against DSWD-ARMM head quits visits to Zambo BoC C Z AMBOANGA CITY — Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar has warned city government of�icials and employees to refrain from visiting the Bureau of Customs (BoC) of�ice without of�icial business.

Salazar issued the warning as reports reached her of�ice that unscrupulous people involved in illegal activities at the BoC are dragging the name of the city government, including hers for favours.

Salazar said she would of�icially write BoC Commissioner Isidro Lapeña to inquire whether the latter can declare the local customs of�ice off limits to city govern-

ment of�icials and employees without of�icial business.

“So to prevent it (name-dropping), we declare the BoC (of�ice) with the support of the commissioner, off limits to the city government of�icials and employees unless they have of�icial transaction,” she said.

The mayor stressed that her of�ice is one in the �ight against smuggling saying taxes should go to the government coffers and “not to the pockets of certain people.”

Meanwhile, the local BoC of�ice said that only licensed customs brokers were doing transactions with them.

(PNA)

OTABATO CITY – An Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) worker died while �ive others were wounded Wednesday after a speeding multicab vehicle rammed a tricycle at the highway in Pikit, North Cotabato.

A report from the Pikit police of�ice identifed the fatality as Maila Sindatok, 21, a visiting OFW, while those injured as tricycle driver Junto Ziosop, 41; Sophia Nawal, 75; Baikan Ibong 62; Precilla

Midsapak, 39; and Wilma Sindatok, 39, all local residents.

Chief Insp.

Romy Castanares, Pikit police chief, said the victims were about to board a tricycle they �lagged down around 2:30 p.m. along the highway in Barangay Batulawan when suddenly rammed from behind by the fast-moving multicab vehicle.

The impact was so strong that it sent both vehicles veering off the road towards

OTABATO CITY – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Vice Governor Haroun Alrashid Lucman Jr. resigned from his concurrent position as head of the region’s social welfare department, citing his desire to help in the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts of battle-scarred Marawi City.

On Tuesday, lawyer Laisa Alamia, ARMM executive secretary, took over Lucman’s post also in concurrent capacity.

“It was a hard decision

1,000.

Lucman’s stint began in 2013 as the DSWD-ARMM secretary leading the agency’s various programs and projects to help communities across the region.

The programs include the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), the government’s poverty reduction strategy, Child and Youth Welfare Program (CYWP), Emergency Assistance Program (EAP), and Women’s Welfare Program (WWP).

(PNA)

Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas -Directorate for Human Resource and Doctrine Development, Chief Supt. Carlito Feliciano - PRO6, Chief Supt.

John Cresencio Bulalacao - National Capital Regional Police Of�ice (NCRPO), Chief Supt. R’Win Pagkalinawan PRO-Cordillera (PRO-Cor), and Chief Supt. Rolando Anduyan, PRO-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (PRO-ARMM).

PNP Director-General Ronald Dela Rosa led the oath of the newly-promoted police of�icers held on Tuesday in Camp Crame, which housed the PNP headquarters in Quezon City.

De Ocampo, who hails from Tuguegarao, Cagayan and father of four children, is

a member of the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) class of 1987.

De Ocampo has been assigned at PRO-9 from 1997 up to 2014. He has served as the director of the Zamboanga City Police Of�ice from 2010-2013.

Prior to his assignment as ZCPO director, he was the Chief of the Regional Logistics and Research Development Division of PRO-9.

Prior to his assumption as the DRDA of PRO-9, De Ocampo had served at the NCRPO particularly at Eastern Police District (EPD) as Chief Directorial Staff, Deputy District Director for Operations and Deputy District Director for Administration, respectively from 2014-2016.

He had been recipients of various awards and commendations. Among them are Medalya ng Kadakilaan, Medalya ng Paglilingkod sa Santo Papa and Leadership Award in Criminology.

The promotion of De Ocampo to one star rank was approved by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte upon the recommendation of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Eduardo Año and with the concurrence of the Senior Of�icers Placement and Promotion Board (SOPPB).

A traditional arrival honor is scheduled to be held on January 22 upon arrival of De Ocampo at the PRO-9 headquarters in Barangay Mercedes, this city. (PNA)

Top Zambo PNP official gets star rank

1 dead, 5 wounded Z in NC road accident C 1,P13

but a necessity owing to family decisions, the need to focus on future plans, to help in the Marawi rehabilitation, upcoming environment activities for Lanao through

Ecowatch and as regional vice governor,” Lucman said.

He said he will lead efforts in implementing programs and projects designed for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of his hometown. Marawi was last year’s site of a �ierce battle between government forces and local terror groups.

Military forces successfully retook Marawi after a �ive-month urban warfare against combined Abu Sayyaf and Maute terror elements, numbering close to

AMBOANGA CITY -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) has promoted the second in command of the Police Regional Of�ice-9 (PRO-9) to a star rank.

Promoted to the rank of Chief Superintendent is Edwin De Ocampo, the Deputy Regional Director for Administration (DRDA) of PRO-9 or the Zamboanga Peninsula region.

As the DRDA, De Ocampo is the second highest police of�icial in the region next to Chief Supt. Billy Beltran, PRO9 director.

De Ocampo is among the six police of�icers with the rank of Senior Superintendent recently promoted to Chief Superintendent.

The other �ive are Chief

8 VANTAGE EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 207 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 19-20 , 2018

EDITORIAL

H

‘Hirna’ worth supporting

IRNA, the taxi hailing app now in the initial stages of being im- hotel.

This app will likewise help in ensuring the discipline and good beplemented, will eventually be a boon to the public transportation system in our burgeoning city, particularly taxi cab ser- havior of cab drivers, although admittedly this is more a problem in other parts of the country than in Davao City. The City is famous for vice.

As explained by its supporters, including Davao City Mayor Sara its well-behaved and honest cabbies for one.

Hirna’s implementation suffered a slight delay after Globe Telecom Duterte-Carpio and Chairman Martin Delgra III of the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB), the hailing app backed out of the partnership with the Metro Davao Taxi Operators will provide more convenient and ef�icient taxi service to Dabawen- Association, Inc. (MDTOA), forcing MDTOA to negotiate with Smart yos who are beginning to feel the dif�iculty of getting a cab specially Communications, Inc. which readily agreed to take over the project. during rush hours. This is evidenced by the lengthening queues of Globe has reportedly been contracted earlier by Grab which has a passengers before gates of city malls and big hotels, including houses taxi-hailing app similar to Hirna’s. Nothing wrong there, really. As leof worship, more-so during rainy days. This ef�icient taxi hailing app gitimate business entities, both telcos have the right to make moves will enable passengers, specially persons with disability, senior citi- considered bene�icial to the interest of their clients and themselves.

What’s important now is that we have a public transport innovazens and pregnant women to get taxi service, with the use of smartphones, to contract a cab driver even while still inside the mall or tion worth supporting.

EDGEDAVAO

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EDGEDAVAO

I

t has been a common belief especially

by Islamophobes that Muslims cheer out of sheer bliss whenever terrorists attack cities and civilians. Well, some Muslims may have psychopathic opinion in things but this really isn’t the case. Just like the rest of the world, Muslims mourn and are saddened by these disasters too.

Muslims also grieve because all over the world, Muslims have been victims of terror which are both done by terrorist groups and state-sponsored militias such as the events in Syria and Myanmar.

This is a debunking of a popular belief that Muslims are doing nothing. Here is a brief look at Islam’s war on terror.

THE IDEOLOGICAL WAR When you hear the words war on terror, you’d more likely imagine armies rolling in the desert but the Muslims are �ighting the war against terror too in an ideological war to deliver the real message of Islam and to extinguish the �ire of radicalism that is spreading among Muslims especially the youth.

The Marawi siege which may have ended and marked the defeat of two major criminal and terrorist organizations in the Philippines which is the Maute group and the Abu Sayyaf, their ideology lingers. An ideology which will lead to the formation of thousands more like them.

Often, terrorist organizations are founded by megalomaniacs who have sel�ish aims and promotes it to the people in the guise of Jihad in order to gain popular support. They use verses from

L

ocally, the Sottos may be deemed small-time political players. Unlike their forebears who had graced the upper chamber of Congress, the highest position held by the clan was as lawmaker. In 1938, Cesar M. Sotto won as Davao congressman, serving the post until 1941.

Sotto, who authored the bill creating Tagum as a town in the National Assembly, was the son of Don Vicente Yap Sotto outside of wedlock. But it was created by virtue of Executive Order No. 452 issued on June 23, 1941 by President Manuel L. Quezon that created it into a town. In 1948, Tagum was renamed Magugpo.

Sen. Vicente Y. Sotto, half-brother of Cesar, was the principal author of Republic Act No. 53, the Press Freedom Law, popularly known as the Sotto Law. Interestingly, i Sen. Vicente C. ‘Tito’ Sotto III, the nephew of Cesar, was the one who �iled the legislative initiative that made Tagum a city on January 30, 1998 and of�icially rati�ied as such on March 7, 1998 through a plebiscite.

Don Vicente, the family patriarch, did not marry Cesar’s mother but acknowledged him as his son. He married another lady but divorced her and took another wife, Maria Ojeda, who bore �ive children, one of whom was Marcelino, who married Dr. Herminia

VOL. 10 ISSUE 207 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 19-20, 2018

VANTAGE POINTS

9

Islam’s Own War on Terror the Quran and sayings of Prophet Muhammad in order to justify their claims in making the forbidden allowed and making the allowed forbidden.

THE BRAINWASH Islam’s ideological war against radicalism is done through the proper understanding of how terrorist groups inculcate violent extremist thoughts into the public. Just like any fanatic organization, terrorist groups begin with a brainwash. Just like ISIS and others, they would start propaganda by polarizing the people and controlling their minds into accepting a particular belief which may not actually be true.

The terrorists often capitalize on graphic scenes of violence perpetrated by Non-Muslims against Muslims.

Eventually making the public, especially potential recruits think that all Non-Muslims are like that and all of them should be punished for the crime that some Non-Muslim did a thousand of kilometers away a few years ago.

This is how recently, terrorist inspired attacks have been perpetrated

by ISIS sympathizers all over the world.

Youths which may not have had any conversation with terrorist leaders or may not have been directly ordered but otherwise carried out suicide missions due to the mind conditioning they received.

Due to the popularity of social media, terrorist organizations are quick to magnify their image as liberators. And with cinema quality cinematography, script writing and just a little bit of acting,

UNDERSTANDING ISLAM

Mujahid Navarra

terrorists are making action stars out of themselves who are admired by women and envied by men.

Brainwashing is not only fueling the hate for Non-Muslims and glori�ication of terror. Brainwashing above all has been used by terrorist organizations in discrediting the Islamic scholars. Scholars have been portrayed as government spoon-fed cowards and are ultimately given the verdict of being apostates because of their cooperation in the peace process or preservation of human rights.

The Ulama or the Muslim scholars and even the Muslim leaders have been marked as disbelievers by the terrorist organizations making them lose moral in�luence over a signi�icant sector of the

populace. This action makes sure that the Ulama will never be listened to as the voice of reason who will prevent the people from being radicalized.

THE CRITERIA Since the terrorists are also quoting from the Quran and sayings of prophet Muhammad, Muslim preachers nowadays focus on the proper understanding of these verses that are being used by the violent extremist to support their ideology. Verses that speak about killings but when properly understood, such verses are in fact against the terrorists and not in support of them. One such verse is where Allah said in the Quran, “Kill the disbelievers wherever you �ind them.” ¬Quran 9:5.

Such a very terrifying verse. But when you look at the context in which it was revealed and was properly understood by Prophet Muhammad and the �irst generation of Muslims, this verse clearly was revealed in a context of battle. But in the next verse actually, you will �ind Allah says, “And if any of the disbelievers seek your protection then grant them protection.” ¬Quran 9:5.

What? I thought Allah said kill all the disbelievers and now He says, give them protection? As you see this verse could only be properly understood in the complete context. And this is the same verse that Islamophobic media uses to portray Islam as a religion of terror. Both the terrorists and the war mongering media will only quote the verses they like and

disregard the others.

Verses that when taken out of context will corrupt the Muslims especially our youth who are going to be used as cannon-fodder or �irewood by megalomaniacs who seek dominance.

As you see, the criteria or gold standard is to go back to the proper context of any Islamic evidence the terrorist gives and you will �ind it simply tailored �it to their whims. As we all know, Islam prohibited kidnap for ransom, suicide bombings, killing of civilians, and killing or condoning the killing of Muslims and anyone who is doing these in not �ighting in the way of Allah.

PERMANENT SOLUTION Our Muslim preachers are using everything at their disposal in the form of mass media, books, and others and they have been putting their lives on the line as well, as death threats have been hurled at them regularly. Beyond these, other issues need to be addressed as well. We should work together in having a concerted effort to �ight Islamophobia and Radicalism simultaneously. As we all know one of them always breeds the other.

Social reforms should also be in check that any form of marginalization against the Muslims such as racial pro�iling or discrimination which are both unjust, inhumane and ungodly. Social justice is key.

If you want more information about Islam, watch Mensahe TV via Cignal channel 184.

uel Sotto’s win was vice-governor was contested by Abelardo Aportadera. In the November 1, 1959, elections, the latter obtained 66,209 votes while the former got 78,346 votes. The board of canvassers, on December 16, 1959, proclaimed Sotto rightful winner.

But Aportadera, in the quo warranto proceeding instituted, claimed Sotto was not a quali�ied voter of Davao Province of Davao given that he was also a registered voter of Precinct No. 16-A, in 4th legislative district of Manila, during the election years 1953, 1955, 1957, and 1959. It was only on October 3, 1959 that he registered as new voter in Precinct No. 9, in Davao City, but without securing transfer or cancellation of his voter’s registration.

The petitioner said Sotto belatedly �iled the cancellation of his voter’s registration with the city treasurer’s of�ice in Manila on October 30, 1959, over a month beyond the legal prescription, which is classi�ied as a felony under Article 172 of the Revised Penal Code, making the latter ineligible to run for vice-governor of Davao Province.

“This case,” Court records show, “hinges on the question whether or not respondent is a ‘quali�ied voter’ of Davao province [and] upon two (2) grounds, namely: (1) that respondent is not a duly registered voter of Davao,

because, before being registered as such, he had failed to apply for the cancellation of his registration as a voter in the City of Manila; and (2) that, having committed… felony in registering himself as a voter in Davao, he [was] disquali�ied to vote, and, consequently, to run for Vice-Governor.”

The high court argued the issues raised were no longer regulatory because Section 431 of the Old Election Code provided the quali�ications for “every male person” quali�ied to vote: (i) those who, on August 28, 1916, were legal voters and had exercised the right suffrage; (ii) those who own real property valued PhP500, or have paid annually PhP30 or more in customary taxes; and (iii) be able to read and write either Spanish, English or a native language.

Under Section 98 of the then Revised Election Code, every Filipino citizen, “twenty-one years or over, able to read and write, who has been a resident of the Philippines for one year and of the Municipality in which he has registered during the six months immediately preceding, who is not otherwise disquali�ied, may vote in the said precinct at any election.”

With �inality, the SC verdict decided the order appealed from was af�irmed, with the petitioner shouldering the cost of litigation.

The political Sotto clan of Davao

Castelo.

Marcelino and Herminia are the parents of singer-actors, Valmar, Vicente III (Tito), Marcelino (Maru) and Marvic (Vic), and Suga, an obstetrician and later Cebu City councilor.

Prior his representation of Davao in the National Assembly, Cesar was one of the prime movers of Philippine Civic Union, a group organized by his father. In 1934, he ran as mayor of Cebu but lost to Fructuoso Ramos. His father, on the other hand, opposed Don Sergio Osmeña Sr. but lost in his senatorial bid in the June 5, 1934 elections.

Outside politics, Cesar founded the Cebu Chapter of Federacion Obrera de Filipinas. In a rally held on Labor Day in 1934 at the Plaza Washington, he invited his father as keynote speaker.

Three years later, this time migrating to Davao, he returned to politics and won as member of the provincial board of Davao in the December 14, 1937 polls. He was later handled by his uncle, Don Filemon Yap Sotto, the elder brother of Don Vicente. Don Felimon went on to become congressman, 1934 Constitutional Convention delegate and senator.

Three other Sottos made a name in local politics. Manuel C. ‘Noli’ Sotto became vice-governor of Davao Provice (1960-63) and Davao City vice-mayor (1968-71), while Gemma

FAST BACKWARD Antonio V. Figueroa M. Sotto served as board member of Compostela Valley Province before she forcibly migrated to the US for fear of her life after the murder of her Norwegian �iancé.

Mario Angelo Sotto, a successful miner, served as vice-mayor of Nabunturan, Compostela Valley Province.

He ran for mayor in 2016 but lost to Chelita Amatong, daughter of former Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley congressman Prospero Amatong.

In a case that reached the Supreme Court (G.R. No. L-16876) and decided on November 30, 1961, Man-

10

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 207 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 19-20 , 2018

HIGH... FROM 1 will be reduced to much less from the usual two and a half hours starting in 2022.

“The Mindanao Railway System will further improve the connectivity between cities in Mindanao, as Mindanao Development Authority envisioned it to be,” Montenegro

said.

Montenegro also revealed that the rail line will be built with a single track, with provisions for future tracks and electri�ication. It will have six �ive-car passenger trains with three spare cars, four locomotives and 15 freight cars.

with the president.

“My feeling now is, I am proud because the only thing that I wished for myself is to work right and work with accountability,” he said.

“My really dream is to be the next department head of CSSDO that is why I really need to work hard to prove that I am worth it but God give me a big opportunity that I will be working on the national level,” Baloro added.

Baloro said that he did not believe it at �irst because he has not talked with the president as of the moment and he has not received any appointment papers yet.

“I thought it was fake news and it did not sink into my mind,” he said.

“I just heard it on news.

I don’t even open my FB (Facebook) account but my friends congratulated me,” Baloro added.

He said President Duterte made his pronouncement that he wants a representative from LGBT community to be one of the commissioners of PCUP during their par-

ty on December 17.

“The LGBT coalition in Davao city nominated me and then, when Presidential Management Staff called me if I’m willing to resign in my present assignment once I am appointed and I said yes,” he said.

Baloro said once he will start working in the PCUP, he will formulate program that will bene�it the urban poor in the country.

He said the work in PCUP has no difference with his work at CSSDO which is to look for the welfare of the people especially the poor people.

Along with Baloro is 2014 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Emergent Leadership Randy Halasan who is a teacher in the hinterland of Marilog Distirct in Davao City.

Halasan and Baloro will be replacing Manuel Serra Jr. and Joan Lagunda who were �ired by President Duterte along with their chair Terry Ridon reportedly for too much travel abroad.

to convene as a constituent assembly to amend the 1987 Constitution.

“How can it (House) set aside something guaranteed by the Constitution?” Pimentel asked at the Senate, as he criticized the lower house’s plan to “adopt federal system pero no election muna?”

“The end does not justify the means. Hindi pupuwede na sabihin mo yun just to achieve a supposedly good purpose.

Good intention will be submerged into a mesh of nonsense being advocated today,” Pimentel said, drawing cheers and applause as he added, “while we are still free, speak out! Kelan ka magsalita? Kung hindi na pwede?” (When will you speak out? If it’s no longer possible?)

A member of the 1971 Constitutional Convention, Pimentel supports a shift to a federal system of government, prefers a Constitutional Convention but says the Senate and the House should vote separately if the mode of amending the Constitution is through a Constituent Assembly.

Pimentel disagreed with former Chief Justice Hilario Davide’s description of the shift to federalism as a “lethal proposal,” arguing it is a “vital proposal

to give life and meaning to the intent of good governance and good life to our people.”

Pimentel also said the ban on political dynasties should be spelled out and self-executory in a Federal Constitution unlike in the 1987 Constitution which left it to Congress to pass a law on banning political dynasties.

“Meaning to say, no need to enact a law” for the ban to effect.

“The father cannot pass on this mantle of authority to his wife or mistress, son or daughter up to fourth civil degree. That would be one way but spell it out,” he said.

Dubbed “Father of the Local Government Code,” Pimentel was elected mayor of Cagayan de Oro and Assemblyman of the Interim Batasang Pambansa in the 1980s. He was arrested four times under martial law for standing up to the Marcos dictatorship.

“But it was worth it, I might say, because eventually we regained freedom,” he told the Senate hearing. “Let us not set aside those freedoms,” he said, adding the shift to federalism should not set aside karapatang pantao (human rights). “That should never be allowed by our people because that is guaranteed by the Constitution.” (Carolyn O. Arguillas / MindaNews)

able to talk again but still in a wheel chair.

What are the main reasons

why there is now a surge of drinking among young people? In a survey conducted by the author, peer

LGBT... FROM 1

NENE... FROM 2

THE... FROM 12

DOUBLE CHECK.Firefighters inspect the back portion of a hardware which was hit by fire before declaring that the fire was put out on Thursday along R. Magsaysay Avenue in Davao City. Lean Daval Jr. pressure has been cited as the main culprit. “It is a potent cause of more and widespread teen drinking of alcohol nowadays,” says Mariano Patalinjug, a father of four children.

“By drinking, they are seeking approval from their friends. Because if their friends are drinking and they are not, they’re going to be ranked down.”

The media and the advertisements are also partly to be blamed.

A study done in the United States has shown that young people who are exposed to advertisements for alcohol are likely to drink more.

For every beer bought in the country, 80% of what the consumer pay reportedly are spent to advertising.

In some instances, parents also drive teenagers to drink. According to Kyle, a college student whose thesis was on adolescent drinking, “parents who are extremely strict can cause their kids to become rebellious. In reprisal, children would ignore advices given to them and may even do the opposite like drinking and going home late at night.”

In addition, children who are not supervised by their parents (as they are very busy with their work and seldom see the activities of their children outside their homes) are also likely to drink.

“And also, maybe, the breakdown of the morals of our young,” says Rigor. “It is very palpable even in our city.”

There are other reasons. Dr. Hartigan-Go summarizes it in these words: “Curiosity, low self-esteemed and wanting to belong, taking risks and feeling invincible and challenging authority �igures.”

In “Othello,” William Shakespeare penned: “I would not put a thief in my mouth to steal my brains.” The father of English literature was actually talking about alcoholic drinking.

So, why so much ado about drinking? “Harmful use of alcohol,” the United Nations health agency reports, “is associated with more than 60 types of diseases and other health conditions, including mental disorders and suicide, several types of cancer, and other noncommunicable as well as intentional and unintentional injuries.

“It also is associated with other high-risk behaviors, including unsafe sex and the use of other psychoactive substances,” the WHO

adds. The EWC study af�irms: “Virtually no young people – boys or girls – use drugs without also drinking or smoking.”

According to WHO, “young people are more likely to suffer from alcohol-related traf�ic accidents, violence and family disruptions related to harmful use of alcohol than other age groups.”

Recent medical studies also shows that young people, whose brains are still developing, may be at greater risk than mature adults of lasting brain damage from heavy alcohol consumption.

“In general, when the level of alcohol exceeds the limit of liver metabolism threshold, the ethanol goes straight to other organ system and starts destroying the cells,” Dr. Hartigan-Go explains. “Often, we see nerve damage centrally and peripherally. Alcohol abuse leads to vitamin B1 de�iciency, causing malnutrition, psychosis, memory loss, and inability to control neuro muscular movements.”

As young people and teenagers are still not much aware of what they are doing, it is the responsibility of the parents and guardians to do something about it. Parents particularly have a key role in reducing binge drinking among their children.

“The importance of teenagers’ closeness to their parents and their responsiveness to parental attitudes suggest that efforts to prevent teen drinking, smoking and drug use should enlist the participation of parents,” the EWC study recommended.

“Keep off their children from so many temptations,” suggests Rigor, also a father. “What I mean about this? Parents should always check on their children, their activities and the friends they keep.”

Parents should also be responsible enough not to serve alcohol to their teenage children. “If you care for your children, you need to show your love and concerns,” says Jims Vincent Capuno, a father who as much as possible doesn’t drink in front of his children.

That’s one. Another is talking with teens openly about the risks of binge drinking. “Show them the cause and effects of drinking too much,” suggests Tony Peralta, a father. “I brought my son to the morgue to show what happens when a drinking spree can result

into a car accident. I also showed him what happens to out intestines when we drink too much.”

More importantly, parents should serve as role models for their children. “Children learn from their parents,” says Patrick

Durst, a father and retired UN of�icial. “If your kids see you get in a car and drive while drunk, then it’s pretty hard to tell them not to do the same. Instead, show your kids how to drink responsibly – by drinking responsibly yourself.”

Davao City.

“We have not yet inspected these stations, but even if they have papers, knowing that their tower transmitters are made of bamboo pole, I will recommend show cause or cease and desist order,” Cañete said.

Among those recommended were 10 radio stations in Davao del Sur, �ive in Davao del Norte, several others in Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.

Canete said the NTC earlier approved CDO for two radio stations in Digos, one in Bansalan in Davao del Sur and one in Lupon, Davao Oriental.

Canete said some people have earned the notoriety of going on air using frequencies which can easily be spotted because everything is now digital unlike in the past when

NTC will con�iscate one device in the transmitter equipment to stop operation.

Others use frequency in Davao City but operate in Mati.

Cañete said there is a radio station in Davao Oriental owned by a congressman that has no permit yet.

He said these stations are not given frequency from the commission and they just grab it from the legal radio stations.

“Kini nga mga istasyon, wala gyud na tagai og frequency (These radio stations, we do not give them the frequency),” he said.

“Radio stations in Davao City, including Mati are their service area. So, we have to protect these legal radio stations to serve their service areas,” he said.(PNA)

to the Department of Education just to make sure that the accommodation is precisely appropriate and correct,” he said.

There will be 29 sports to compete in and there will be Demo Sports such as Pinka Chillal which is a combat contact event, Aero Gymnastic, Boxing for elementary, Dance sports which will be incorporated to the Palarong pambansa. “ Demonstration sport is not mandatory to all division because this ii s just a demo sport and precisely considered part of the games two years after it will be validated to be safe among the students who will playing with it,” he said.

A total of seven units will participating in the Davao City Athletic Meet and the winners will be the representative of

the DAVRAA meet, this includes the Davao association of catholic schools (DACS) and Davao association of private schools & administrators School(DAPRISA).

He said that the University of Mindanao (UM) is in full support, UM will be the venue for the opening ceremony of DVRAA, UM will also allow the participants to use in the sports facilities for free in the duration of the DAVRAA. “The opening program will be held there, the Track and Field, Sepak Tak-raw and some other events the commodity with of the facilities will be for free and that is in close coordination with the city government, Department of Education of�ice of the Schools Division Superintendent and somoe other departments in the city of Davao,” he said.

NTC... FROM 2

DAVAO... FROM 2

INdulge!

“I joined this year’s Print Ta - an annual independent print bazaar that’s organised by Alleycat Teahouse. It’s a venue for local artists and crafters to showcase their talent and mingle with sellers and art enthusiasts alike.”

VOL. 10 ISSUE 207 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 19-20, 2018

EDGEDAVAO

ARTS AND CULTURE

“If you’re hungry, nothing beats some late night Bulalo and Lechon Kawali at Bankerohan.”

“I love cooking curry - it’s easy and tasty. “

Colorful pages from 2017

“We went to a Food Festival at SM Lanang.”

“I love hanging out at Bo’s Coffee - it’s fairly quiet with ok coffee and zero students.”

WHETHER IT’S KEEPING NOTES for important corporate tasks or scratching heavily on the page writing down all that teenage angst, and in some cases it’s ironically planning how to delicately design the next planner, journaling is one of the oldest styles of writing—ship captains or pirates and even our historical people found it essential for everyday life.

In today’s society though, it has evolved to more than random thoughts and sentences, and into a wholly completely fresh form of art. Journal enthusiasts have transformed simple blank pages into an intriguing wonderlandtype canvas based on everyday real-life, and renovating the mundane into something more extraordinary.

We all know that 2017 wasn’t the best year the world had ever had, but we can at least see a more uncomplicated and charming version of it through Ira Teves’ creative eyesight. Ira has a splendid passion for keeping a drawing journal every-single-day. It doesn’t matter if it’s creating a watercolor for one of her “kuripot recipes” or a detail during a simple hang out at a café—she illustrates little “highlights” from her everyday to make it a bit more every-yay.

“I’m a laidback and awkward person so you can see that most of my works look loosely sketched. People also describe me as a “grinder”, it’s a gaming term that means someone who likes

doing boring/repetitive tasks for an “okay” reward rather than risking everything for the glory… you can really see that in the way I draw, wherein, I don’t really mind making mistakes because I know I can draw again tomorrow,” shared the artist.

Ira’s favorite medium is actually oil because she loves how an artist can scrape and change the painting as he/ she pleases, but for someone who doesn’t mind losing control and liking the surprise end-result every time, watercolor has become the most handy and easiest medium for her to use with her illustrative journaling.

“I want people to think that art is easy and accessible. Most people think

that art’s just a hobby for rich people who have lots of free time, but actually if you have something to write with, you can draw with it too. I dream of the day when the streets are filled with art, everyone has a sketchbook, and each house has a painting on display that’s not actually a print of a famous overpriced artwork. Hopefully the more I post drawings about my humdrum life, other people would too; and at the end, everyone’s an artist,” Ira musingly says.

Some of her audiences can already recognize her art style but she can never really tell whether she already found one, since different artists keep inspiring her and so Ira constantly tweaks her ways, but the artist is proud to say that she has kept this up for four years now and I don’t plan on slacking off anytime soon! You can view Ira’s daily entries on her Instagram, @iratevescrooks.

A2 INdulge!

UP AND ABOUT

EDGEDAVAO

VOL. 10 ISSUE 207 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 19-20, 2018

Smart’s programs recognized here and abroad FOR ITS EFFORTS to continuously improve its network and make relevant digital services accessible to more Filipinos, PLDT wireless unit Smart Communications received several international and local awards in 2017.

Smart was named Digital Service Provider of the Year at the Asia Communication Awards (ACA) ceremony held last May in Singapore. The program was organized by London-based industry publication Total Telecom.

The award was given after Smart and PLDT launched a $1-billion digital transformation program to enable their fixed and mobile networks to support the rising demand for digital services. Smart is progressively deploying LTE services to cover more of the country’s cities and municipalities. It is combining low-band frequencies for better indoor penetration and wider coverage, with high-band frequencies for additional capacity.

Internal and third party tests have shown that Smart offers the fastest LTE service in the country.

The company’s Welcome Change campaign, which encouraged Filipinos to explore what the digital life has to offer, won Best Brand Campaign both at the ACA and the World Communication Awards (WCA) held last November in London.

Meanwhile, a mobile health

initiative run by Smart and the Ateneo Java Wireless Competency Center won the Social Contribution Award at the WCA. SHINE OS+ (Secured Health Information Network and Exchange), an electronic medical record and referral system, also won in the Healthcare category of the International Public Relations Association’s Golden World Awards (GWA) held in Bulgaria last October.

Launched in 2011, SHINE OS+ enables public health facilities to retrieve patient records with a few clicks on a laptop, refer patients to better-equipped health facilities electronically, and remind patients of appointments and medication via SMS. Further-

more, SHINE OS+ allows these health facilities to submit relevant patient information to the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. for faster processing of claims and health statistics.

Being an open-source platform, SHINE OS+ allows developers from anywhere in the country and the world to create additional features that can fill more gaps in the health sector.

It does this while keeping patient records private.

Winning in the GWA’s Events Management category was TNT Super Panalo Day. This was a thanksgiving event for loyal and new customers of TNT, the value brand of Smart.

It was meant to celebrate two TNT milestones – its 15-year legacy of empowering Filipinos

with affordable call and text promos; and its digital shift into offering mobile internet services.

On the local front, Smart won Company of the Year for the second consecutive time at the Public Relations Society of the Philippines’ Anvil Awards.

Smart took home 17 Gold Anvils and seven Silver Anvils for its corporate social responsibil-

ity programs, marketing campaigns, customer experience programs, and employee initiatives.

It also placed second runnerup for Company of the Year at the Philippine Quill Awards, organized by the International Association of Business Communicators-Philippines. Smart received 12 Excellence Awards and nine Merit Awards.

Globe myBusiness helps SMEs become future proof GLOBE MYBUSINESS has brought its valuable expertise and tried-andtested products and solutions to the country’s favorite tourist destination, Boracay, to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) become future-proof.

The workshop, dubbed as Globe myBusiness Digital Tools to FutureProof Your Business, centered on the most prominent industries currently flourishing in Boracay such as tourism, hotels and accommodations, restaurants and food establishments, and retail.

In the four-day event, entrepreneurs, managers and various other staff members from all over the island were able to pick up a wealth of knowledge that allowed them to better understand technology and what it can do for them.

Derrick Heng, Senior

Advisor for Globe myBusiness said: “Employing technology in business isn’t instantaneous.

Rather, it’s a step-by-step process. It may take years for a business to fully maximize its digital potential, but the results are definitely worth the challenge. Globe myBusiness is here to assist entrepreneurs every step of the way.”

As a first takeaway from the workshop, the participants learned about the importance of social media which is

the simplest way to use technology for business.

Through social media, entrepreneurs can spread word about their business, get feedback, and contact their clients or customers in the blink of an eye.

“Digital marketing was the most important lesson for me, that you really need to make the most out of it through social media,” said Lourdes A. Ramirez of Secret Garden Boracay.

June Myrrh Dueñas and Dane Aldeguer of

Isla Chicas Travel Consultancy added: “We understand that everything’s online, and everything’s on mobile phones, and we need to be a part of everything that’s happening. We have to grow with the changes, with technology.”

At the same time, Globe myBusiness educated the participants about different business solutions that can help them sell online such as Shopify; boost efficiency through the Gsuite online suite of productiv-

ity tools that can be used anywhere and on any device; and advertise their business like the Adblast targeted texts to consumers, among others.

“The workshop was very helpful for me. The things discussed were added nutrients for what I need for my business, like customer advocacy, offline tools, online tools … they’re very helpful because I discovered what else I need in order to improve the business,” said Jeyna Azugi of Team Sir George Salon.

Digital technology, however, has to be embraced not only by the decision-makers but the whole team for it to make a bigger impact.

“We learned a lot that could help us with our future plans for the business. We are most interested in the concept of GCash. Our consideration now is how we’ll train our employees, because they’re already doing things a certain way, so it’ll be a [challenge] helping them adapt to technology,” said Flory Jhen and Flory Vhel Alvarez of Shinyou.

However, technology only emphasizes what business owners already know and live by, that it is quality that still gets the customer. Thus, technology has to work side by side with current sales, service and marketing strategies in order for it to work.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 207 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 19-20, 2018

ENTERTAINMENT

EDGEDAVAO

INdulge! A3

MOIRA EXCITED FOR HER FIRST SOLO CONCERT NEW STAR MUSIC ARTIST MOIRA DELA TORRE is all ready to brave the concert stage solo as she holds her first ever show dubbed “Tagpuan” happening for two nights at the KIA Theater on February 17 and 18.

Initially scheduled on Feb. 17 (Saturday), the concert was sold out in four days after tick-

ets were released. It has now opened for a repeat on the next consecutive night, scheduled on Feb.

18 (Sunday), and Moira couldn’t helped but be thrilled with this development.

“When I prayed for a concert, I didn’t expect it to be sold out let alone have a repeat. My heart is overwhelmed,” shared the singer-songwriter on her Facebook page.

The Cornerstone artist just signed a two-year contract with ABSCBN’s record label, Star Music, making her one of the musicians to look forward to this 2018 with her much-awaited solo album in the works and will be out very soon.

Moira recently made waves due to her Himig Handog 2017 win as song interpreter for “Titibo-tibo,” as well as for her “Torete” cover which was the theme song of the Star Cinema flick “Love You To The Stars and Back.”

She also sang “Huling Gabi,” a song included in the soundtrack of the film “Last Night.”

Her “Tagpuan” concert, named after the song she recently wrote, will be directed by actor

John Prats, produced by Cornerstone Entertainment and Bright Bulb Productions.

Surprise guests await the audience.

Tickets for the February 18 show are still up for grabs and prized at P3,922 (VIP), P2650 (VIP), P2,120 (orchestra), P1,272 (loge), and P848 (balcony). Visit ticketnet. com.ph or call 911-5555 for reservation.

Catch Moira’s “Tagpuan” concert on February 17 and 18 at 8pm. For more details, visit starmusic.ph, like Star Music on facebook.com/starmusicph, and follow it on Twitter and Instagram @ StarMusicPH.

EDGEDAVAO

A4 INdulge!

VOL. 10 ISSUE 207 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 19-20, 2018

EDGEDAVAO PARTNER ESTABLISHMENTS Serving a seamless society

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EDGEDAVAO Serving a seamless society

Tel No. 082.221.3601/224.1413 Email: edgedavao@gmail.com marketing@edgedavao.net

VOL. 10 ISSUE 207 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 19-20 , 2018

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DRILLON... FROM 3

terview after the third senate hearing into charter change.

Drilon explained that the SC cannot interfere because it is a political exercise and a political question, “beyond the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.”

“The Supreme Court cannot rule that we should vote jointly or separately - that question is left to the discretion of Congress because the process of amending the constitution is a political process lodged in Congress itself.

That is very clear. Whether or not we vote separately, the Supreme Court cannot interfere,” he added.

Drilon also maintained that both houses should vote separately as there was consensus among senators.

He said that the bicameral nature of the legislative branch “leaves no doubt that there should be a separate voting.”

Before the third hearing on cha-cha, Drilon said that the minority bloc was open to allow the SC to decide whether the Congress should vote on charter change jointly or separately.

“We are open to it. Ultimately it will have to be decided by the Supreme Court,” Drilon said in an earlier TV interview.

It may be recalled that Drilon repeatedly insisted that voting should be done separately because voting jointly would make the Senate “irrelevant.”

“If we vote jointly we become irrelevant. I cannot imagine that the framers of the constitution contemplated of the situation where the senate’s vote is just equivalent to that of 290 or so congressmen in a joint voting.

No senator will agree to this kind of interpretation,” Drilon said. (PNA)

During the City Council’s session, Councilor Charles Ligan said that more than 2,000 people including himself going to the island were immediately stranded in wharfs in Davao City side on December 21, 2017 when the Coast Guard cancelled in the afternoon all travel of ferry boats and lanchas sailing between the mainland Samal Island and nearby Talicud Island as PAGASA declared Signal No. 1 of the Tropical Depression Agaton covering the islands.

He said that the City Local Government Unit needs to help during emergency situation as many people were stranded and complaining while some of them got sick, and when the order was the lifted they raced elbowing each other to get in �irst in the ferry boat, thus endanger themselves.

Ligan added that the Samal LGU could help, say in providing food packs to the stranded.

The councilor also said they need to be informed of the standard operating procedure of the Coast Guard in declaring suspension of boat travels due to typhoons, even as he batted on the need for Coast Guard to coordinate speci�ically with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC).

Councilor Guillermo Olden asked why the ferry boats were prevented from sailing when there were no big waves battering between Samal and Sasa, Davao City observed in late afternoon that day.

Coast Guard Lt. George Maganto, who was invited by the City Council to shed light on the matter, reasoned out that they are guided by their agency’s guidelines which have speci�ic conditions to be met before they declared nosail zone and time.

He said that the Coast Guard made no-travel directives effecting at 3:30 p.m . of Dec. 21, 2017 and 6:00 a.m. of

Jan. 1, 2018 based on the Signal No. 1 advisory of PAG-ASA. He said that the Coast Guard though is “�lexible”, agreeing on the proposition of Vice Mayor Orly Amit that even if it is Signal No. 2 and depending on the situation like there are no big waves they would still allow travel provided that it is day time, “from sunrise to sunset.”

He said that in Signal No. 1, one of the conditions is that the boat must arrive “30 minutes before sunset.”

Councilor Ruel Bantillo, on the other hand, asked if the Coast Guard could allow to stretch its deadline until sunset to 6:00 or 6:30 p.m. as Samal residents who are working in Davao City usually arrive at the wharf at that time given the travel time from their workplaces from 5:00 as hindered by traf�ic.

He said that Samal Island by geography is especially located as it is protected by the terrains of Mati, Davao Oriental.

Maganto responded that the Coast Guard is considering the Samal-Sasa sea as “special area” but he sticks with their guidelines though he added they are amenable to the suggestion of having to closely coordinate with the City Government.

There is a need to have an agreed SOP of the City Government and the Coast Guard on this matter, Councilor Ligan further proposed.

Vice Mayor Amit then called for a meeting with the City Council, Coast Guard, CDRMMC, and PAGASA to recommend measures to Mayor Al David Uy. Meanwhile, in an interview, a German expat married to a Filipina residing in Samal Island said on condition of anonymity that he and three of his companions were caught stranded in Mae Wess wharf at Km. 11, Sasa, and for 13 hours they had to endure staying on their vehicle without sleep until the next day

SAMAL... FROM 3

Age doesn’t matter. “Age is an issue of mind over matter,” wrote American humorist Mark Twain. “If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.” These days, people -- whether young or old -- have to work to make both ends meet. (Photo by Henrylito D. Tacio) when boat travel resumed.

“It was a terrible experience, with many of us left alone under heavy rains at night, while the boat personnel left for home, and the guards were soundly sleeping,” he recalled.

He added they could not leave either as their car was trapped in the long line while the wharf’s gate was closed.

“Really a terrible experience!”

Samal Island has four entry wharfs, which are the Sta. Ana Wharf for Talicud Island, which takes an hour of travel to it, and the Maewess ferry wharf, DavSam ferry wharf, and the Sasa Onse (Km 11) wharf of the lanchas, which only take about 15 minutes of travel to the main island. Cha Monforte, Correspondent

Aquino.

The lawyer said the exercise of press freedom also requires compliance with the law. “No one is above the law,” he said.

Valera suggested for Rappler to �ile an appeal to the Court of Appeals (CA).

In its January 11 ruling, the SEC said Rappler issued Philippine depositary receipts (PDRs) to Omidyar Network Fund LLC, an offshore fund formed by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar.

The conditions tied to the foreign investment infusion were what prompted the corporate regulatory agency to revoke Rappler’s registration of incorporation.

Law �irm Dizon and Orbe-Dizon earlier said the control provision under the PDRs caused the violation.

“The provisions included a condition that Rappler and Rappler Holdings cannot alter, modify, or change their Articles of Incorporation and Corporate By-Laws without discussion with the Omidyar Network PDR holders and obtaining the approval of at least two-thirds of all issued PDRs,” lawyer Peter Michael Dizon said in the law �irm’s website.

The �irm said control under the SRC goes beyond ownership of shares, adding that foreign �irm control should not exist at all. (PNA)

“We ended 2017 with a positive note. Aggressive promos, new model updates and the hard work of members

helped contribute to expanding the Philippine market,” CAMPI President Rommel Gutierrez said. (PNA)

Check should be issued by a reputable universal or commercial bank and payable to Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation or PDIC. The winning bidder should pay the balance of the bid/purchase price in full within 15 days or no later than March 2, 2018 for the February 15 public bidding, and no later than March 14, 2018 for the February 27 public bidding.

For the February 19 public bidding, the winning bidder should pay the balance of the bid/purchase price in full within 30 days or no later

than March 21, 2018. If the date falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the winning bidder must pay the balance on the next working day. The PDIC ROPA Disposal Committee shall automatically cancel the award once the issued checks are not cleared.

Bidders are advised to bring proper identi�ication document (ID) with photo and to register at least one hour prior to the deadline for submission of bids. Bid documents such as Bid Forms, Conditions of Bid, and required format of the Special

DAVAO... FROM 3

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PDIC... FROM 4

Power of Attorney and Secretary’s Certi�icate may be downloaded free of charge from the PDIC website, www. pdic.gov.ph. PDIC reserves the right to withdraw without prior notice any or all of the properties offered for sale any time before the deadline for submission of bids.

The list and complete description of the properties are available from the PDIC Asset Management and Disposal Group, 7th Floor, SSS Building, 6782 Ayala Avenue, cor.

V.A. Ru�ino St., Makati City.

For further information, interested buyers may call the PDIC Public Assistance Department at (02) 841-4630 to 31. Those outside Metro Manila may call the PDIC toll-free hotline at 1-800-1888- PDIC or 1-800-1-8887342. Inquiries may also be sent via e-mail at pad@pdic. gov.ph.

In 2017, PDIC conducted a total of seven public biddings and three biddings with the right of �irst refusal in Metro Manila, Cebu, Legaspi and Pampanga to dispose of corporate and various closed banks’ assets.

The biddings sold a total of 83 properties and generated total sales of PHP259.16 million, representing a premium of PHP58.08 million from the aggregate minimum disposal price of PHP201.08 million.

The expeditious conversion and resolution of assets are among the strategic directions outlined in PDIC’s Roadmap. PDIC, as liquidator of closed banks, conducts various asset disposal initiatives such as biddings, auctions and negotiated sale. Proceeds from the sale of closed banks’ properties are added to the pool of liquid assets of these banks for distribution to uninsured depositors and other creditors in accordance with the rules on concurrence and preference of credits. The disposal of these assets increases the chances of recovery of uninsured depositors and creditors of their trapped funds.

Meanwhile, gains from the sale of corporate assets are added to the Deposit Insurance Fund, PDIC’s main fund source for payment of valid deposit insurance claims.

Angie Saveron

posed pay hike for educators from the public sector.

“I understand the crucial role teachers have in nation-building and I do believe they should be rewarded accordingly,” he said, citing that he himself has been an educator for several years.

Diokno also pointed out that sans the new increase, teachers, along with other workers in the public sector, are scheduled to have the third and fourth tranche of pay hike this and next year under the Salary Standardization Law (SSL) III. (PNA)

loan growth momentum,” said the bank.

As it focuses on higher-return segments, Metrobank said a portion of the SRO proceeds would be used for the acquisition of the remaining 20-percent equity stake in Metrobank Card Corp..

Metrobank has purchased a 20-percent stake from its joint venture partner ANZ Funds Pty. Ltd. (ANZ) for PHP7.4 billion following

receipt of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) approval last December 29.

“The remaining 20 percent is set to be completed by third quarter (of) 2018 under the same terms,” it said.

The Bank has mandated UBS as joint global coordinator and joint book runner and First Metro Investment Corp.

(FMIC) as joint global coordinator, joint book runner and issue manager. (PNA)

DIOKNO... FROM 4

METROBANK... FROM 6

12 BIGGER PICTURE EDGEDAVAO

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The perils of binge drinking among young people

By HENRYLITO D. TACIO

H

aving a beer at the end of the workday or a glass of wine during dinner might be described as a North American and European tradition.

Having a drink is also regarded by many as essential to a successful social life. A swimming party or the local bars are often the setting advertisers use to capture younger consumers, particularly the socalled millennials, by portraying drinking as cool.

Beer drinking has been portrayed as a national pastime, with some advertising campaigns linking it to Filipino pride. “My father and older brothers drink,” admits 22-year-old Norman, who works as a call center agent. “Our party is not a party without beer.”

Studies have shown that an average Filipino family spends one percent of its income on alcoholic beverages. In recent years, wine consumption among Filipinos increases by 10% each year.

Unknowingly, Filipinos who do party appear to be consuming more alcohol than they could take.

The overall increase is largely attributable that more youngsters are now drinking. In a survey conducted by the University of the Philippines, 60% of Filipino youths today are drinking alcoholic beverages.

Even at a young age, Filipino teenagers are starting to drink already. A study conducted by the East-West Center (EWC) in Hawaii showed 11% of boys began to drink by age 15. Only 4% of the girls commenced to drink at that age.

“More than half of all the boys who drink also smoke or use drugs,” disclosed the �indings of the study which focused on adolescent drinking, smoking and drug use.

“By contrast, most girls who drink only drink.”

Most of these teenagers are not aware of the repercussions they are courting. Robert remembers little of his blackout – a lack of memory for events that occur during a night of heavy drinking – except that he attended a party along with some of his friends in Sasa, Davao City.

“I must have drunk at least 10 bottles of beer,” recalled the 20-year-old salesman who at the time the event happened was graduating from college. At around 1 A.M., they decided to go home.

Photos taken from the net His friends thought he was alright and so they left him alone at the bar. “I really didn’t know how I got home,” he said. “I also didn’t know how I lost my mobile phone and my wallet.”

Seventeen-year-old Marc remembers gulping “way too many” alcoholic drinks after a Friday afternoon class with two of his friends in a nearby bar in Digos City. First, they ordered whiskeys, then more whiskeys.

“It’s as if we were drinking only fruit juices,” Marc said. At 10 P.M., they decided to drink some beers. Marc was half-way of the bottle when he suddenly had the urge to vomit. He stood up and before he could run to the comfort room, he was already vomiting. He didn’t know what happened next, but he found himself outside the bar.

Stories like these are common not only in Davao Region but also in other parts of the country. Ben, who celebrated his 19th birthday three years ago, was drinking with his buddies in a friend’s house in Manila. After drinking several rounds of beer, they went out and sprayed a neighbor’s front wall.

The nearby security guard saw what they were doing, so he alerted the owner who called the police. “Several patrol cars came and we were brought to a police precinct,” Ben said. A friend’s father had to help them out from the prison.

“The cases of alcoholic drinking among the youngsters (between the age of 13 to 21 years old) have reached the alarming level compared to the recent past,” observed Ray Ryan Rigor, a nurse from the emergency room in a Davao hospital. “I can personally attest to this as I have witnessed college students engaged in heavy drinking till the wee hours.”

Many of these youngsters – some of them good kids – are involved in binge drinking. Some of them may be lucky but there are those who may end up in the

hospitals or worst may die in an accident.

“Drunkenness has killed more men than all of the history’s wars,” commented American military general John Joseph Pershing, who had ben to several wars – and even came to the Philippines in 1899.

Most Filipinos appreciate a cold beer on a hot day or a glass of wine at dinner. That kind of responsible use of alcohol is a social lubricant that makes life a little more pleasant. But binge drinking is a different story.

Anne Mullens, in an article published by “Reader’s Digest,” offers this explanation: “Call it getting tanked, sloshed, blotto – binge drinking is typically de�ined as consuming �ive or more drinks for a man and four or more drinks for a woman on a single occasion.

“That’s enough to impair judgement, impede coordination, remove inhibitions, cause slurring of words – and potentially put someone at risk of serious health or social consequences, lasting brain damage and even death,” she adds.

A national survey from 1989 to 1990 in the Philippines among 15,082 high school and �irst year and second year college students found out that about 36% of high school students and 34.9% of college students had “used alcohol in their lifetime.”

Of high school students, 2.3% had “used alcohol that same day,” and 5.6% had “used alcohol in past two to seven days.”

Whether in industrialized or developing countries, binge drinking among teenagers show the same pattern. “Young people in developing countries are increasingly drinking in the same harmful patterns as young people in developed countries,” reports the Geneva-based World Health Organization (WHO).

This is truer in the Philippines. “In campuses and colleges, binge drinking occurs during acquaintance night, promenades,

victory balls and pre-graduation parties. So, there’s always something for these students to do and get drunk,” said Dr. Kenneth Hartigan-Go, a medical toxicologist.

Outside schools, binge drinking happens during special occasions like Christmas celebrations,

New Year’s Eve, birthday and wedding parties, and even during wakes.

The words “alcoholic abuse” and “problem drinker” typically conjure up the image of a chronic alcoholic. But binge drinking is more of a public-health problem

than alcoholism as it affects a higher percentage of young drinkers.

Mullens warns: “Unaccustomed to alcohol, young people often rapidly consume excessive amounts that push their blood alcohol concentrations to dangerously high levels. Since it takes at least 30 minutes for alcohol to be fully absorbed by the small intestine and enter the blood stream, binge drinkers can ingest a fatal dose of alcohol before passing out.”

Twenty-one-year old Marianne was having a grand time drinking together with her friends on the sixth �loor of a building in Davao City. She didn’t remember how many glasses of wine she had drunk but the following day she found herself at the hospital and was told she could not walk or talk again.

“Because she was drunk, some people thought she fell or got thrown from the building. Or she may have walked out of the building completely drunk and some bad guys kicked her out on the back and left her that way,” a friend surmised.

Fortunately, Marianne was

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EDGEDAVAO

1... FROM 7 a nearby rice�ield.

The vicitms were rushed to a local hospital where Sindatok, who was pinned in

the incident, expired while undergoing emergency treatment.

The driver, whom the re-

port did not identify, voluntarily surrendered after the incident. (PNA)

would like to have you believe.

Whether or not TNCs conveniently swept the “90day” provision under the rug to their drivers and operators is best left for another story, but it’s clear that the

LTFRB is just following its own rules and regulations.

Call the LTFRB inconvenient, call them archaic, call them stupid even, but nothing changes the fact that this is the law. And since Memorandum Circular 2017-032

was published on December 2, 2017 (it was signed on November 29, 2017), the 90-day deadline means that all non-compliant TNVS vehicles must be off the road (or substituted) at the latest by March 2, 2018.

and didn’t disclose the name of the player that Ariza and Green wanted to confront. ‘’You’ve got reports, I don’t know who saying different stories, I guess their opinions, 99 percent of them were false,’’ Harden said. ‘’We’ll just leave it at that.’’

The �inal minutes of the game - which was Paul’s �irst time facing the Clippers in Los Angeles as an opponent since the trade that sent him to Houston over the summer - were marred by some on-court feistiness, including the Clippers’ Blake Grif�in appearing to exchange words with Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni.

Grif�in and Ariza were also ejected with 1:03 remaining from a game that had �ive technical fouls, and then the postgame incident.

‘’It’s over,’’ Paul said. ‘’It’s in the past. We’re moving on.’’

Speaking before his team played Denver on Wednesday night, and after the suspensions were announced, Clippers coach Doc Rivers said that his team never had any concern that Grif�in would be facing any discipline from the league.

Grif�in spoke to the league Tuesday as part of its investigation. ‘’I thought the whole thing, in this day and time, was much ado about nothing,’’ Rivers said. ‘’Other than the locker room stuff. That should never happen. But the talk and all that back and forth during the game - everyone talks. I’m �ine with that. You just have to choose not to react.’’

Ariza and Green will miss

games against two of the best teams in the Western Conference - Minnesota on Thursday and Golden State on Saturday. Ariza has started all 40 of his appearances with Houston this season, and Green has played in 10 games with the team as a reserve. ‘’I thought that more people from their side were involved, honestly, but I never know the penalty for stuff like that,’’ Rivers said. ‘’I always think it should just be �ines, heavy �ines. I just don’t like anyone missing games, personally. That’s just from a fan perspective.’’

The league said the investigation included more than 20 interviews with executives, staff, coaches and players from both teams, as well as arena personnel.

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NEWS13

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Which cars pass the LTFRB test?

T

he Land Transportation and Franchising and Regulatory Board or LTFRB just threw the rule book at the Transport Network Companies (Uber and Grab to you and me).

In a recent press conference, the government agency responsible for landbased public conveyance is reminding both Uber and Grab that they have to phase out non-compliant TNVses in 90 days. With the Memorandum Circular published last December 2, 2017, that sets a March 2, 2018 deadline.

The LTFRB’s requirements seem simple: phase out hatchbacks whatever the engine displacement may be.

But digging deeper, it’s not as simple as that.

The Memorandum Circular that the almighty LTFRB is citing (MO # 2015-14) covers the country’s minimum standards for authorized taxi units. It so happens that the LTFRB told the TNCs to adopt the same standards on all TNVSes for the sake of public comfort, safety, blah, blah, blah.

Going through the document reveals the following minimum dimensions for taxis.

Sedans with more than Piston Displacement of 1,200-cc • Overall Length: 4,280 mm

• Overall Width: 1,695 mm • Overall Height: 1,470 mm • Wheelbase 2,500 mm Sedans with Piston Displacement of 1,200-cc • Overall Length: 3,990 mm • Overall Width: 1,625 mm • Overall Height: 1,455 mm Wheelbase: 2,405 mm Furthermore, these taxis or TNVSes must carry the following safety features: • Seatbelts (front: 3-point and rear: 2-point) • Front SRS Airbags (driver and front passenger) – even noting its strict implementation starting January 1, 2016 • Third Brake Lamp • Side Impact Beams • Hydraulic Brake System • Child Safety Lock • Remote Luggage Trunk Opener Looking at these standards, we just had to check which vehicles pass the LTFRB requirements. You can check the full table down below, but you’ll be surprised that the list is very short.

The only vehicles that pass all the minimum requirements of the LTFRB for taxis and TNVSes are: • BYD L3 • BYD S1 • Chevrolet Sail • Ford Focus Sedan • Honda BR-V • Honda City • Mazda2 1.5 • Mitsubishi Mirage G4 • Nissan Almera • Nissan Sylphy • Suzuki Ciaz • Suzuki Swift Dzire

• Toyota Innova • Toyota Vios No Hyundais on the list?

They don’t pass the minimum requirement for airbags. Ditto the Mitsubishi Adventure and Isuzu Crosswind. No Ford Fiesta? The overall height and wheelbase are too short, plus the 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine may have the power, but don’t meet the LTFRB’s minimum engine displacement requirement. Honda Civic, Mazda3, Toyota Corolla,

Volkswagen Jetta? Too low.

Toyota Avanza? Too short and too narrow.

The best part? This is just a partial list of standards.

The LTFRB also cites that the rear legroom (the distance from the cushion of the rear seat to the cushion of the front seatback) must be 650 millimeters with the front seat fully retracted backward. They also want the luggage space to measure at least 310 liters.

We don’t have the avail-

able data to further weed out the vehicles that passed the �irst round of scrutiny, but it’s not hard to imagine that one or two of them will be ineligible.

In other words, imagine what will happen if the LTFRB wakes up tomorrow and says that they’ll implement these standards to the letter. Just imagine just how many taxis and TNVs will be taken off the streets and just how many commuters will be left stranded.

LTFRB excludes hatchbacks with low displacement

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he Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board or LTFRB greeted 2018 with a shocker to Transport Network Companies or TNCs: hatchbacks with a displacement below 1,200-ccs or 1.2-liters (round-ups are okay, according to this report) aren’t allowed anymore as Transport Network Vehicle Services (TNVS) vehicles.

Given the LTFRB’s rather unpopular reputation of late, social media lashed out immediately on LTFRB board member and de facto punching bag Atty. Aileen Lizada on the government’s archaic or in their LTO own words, primordial standards. But is there a reason for all this uproar or is the LTFRB simply following the law?

In this case, the law is on the side of the LTFRB. Throughout all the legal wrangling between TNCs such as Uber and Grab, and the LTFRB, several Memorandum Circulars were put in place to better guide companies, operators, drivers, and riders on standards that govern this young industry.

One of the �irst such circulars, Memorandum Circular 2015-017 and 2015-18 talks about the different requirements for the application of a TNVS such as a “zero tolerance on drugs and alcohol”, no smoking policy, and even the requirement for TNVS to display which TNC they are accredited with via a sticker on their vehicle visible from at least 50 feet away. Any mention of minimum vehicle standards? None.

While TNCs may be right in that there are no mentions of minimum vehicle standards in those two circulars, one just needs to look at the Department of Transportation and Communication (now the Department of Transportation) Department Order 2015-11 which details TNVS standards. In the line where it mentions vehicle body type, the Department Order simply mentions: “Sedan, Asian Utility Vehicle,

Sports Utility Vehicle, Van, Sport Utility Vehicle [sic] or other similar vehicles.”

In plain English, it says there: sedan. Hence, hatchbacks are de�initely not allowed.

If that’s not enough, the LTFRB issued their own circular, Memorandum Circular 2015-004 that outlines the minimum dimensions, safety, and comfort features of a taxis (which TNVS are expected to follow

as well). There are two tiers, one that covers vehicles with a piston displacement of 1,200-cc (1.2-liters) and one with piston displacement above 1,200-cc (1.2-liters).

Interestingly, the same circular outlines the required safety feature of these vehicles such as front 3-point seatbelts and rear 2-point seatbelts, a third brake light, side impact beams, remote trunk opener, and get this, dual SRS airbags. It also states a minimum of 650-mm of rear legroom when the front seat is fully retracted backward, and a minimum trunk space of 310 liters.

So why did TNCs continue to run non-compliant units then? It has to do with Memorandum Circular 2017-032, speci�ically in the heading that talks about Dropping and Substitution. There, it’s stated that applicants with pending TNVS applications are allowed to drop and substitute their authorized units for compliant ones within 90 days provided that they are adherent to the “minimum dimension, safety, and comfort features prescribed under MC No. 2015-004.”

In other words, TNCs knew about this. It wasn’t a midnight rule change that most people

LFTRB,P13

VOL. 10 ISSUE 207 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 19-20 , 2018

EDGEDAVAO

SPORTS15

Warriors notch 14th straight road win C

PROMISING GOLFER. Seven-year old Charles Potter won the December 16 Monthly Medal of the Apo Golf and Country Club. The promising junior golfer who started at three, also finished second runner up

Ariza, Green get 2 game suspension T revor Ariza said nothing happened.

The NBA strongly disagreed.

Ariza and Gerald Green will both be suspended for Houston’s next two games, with the NBA coming down hard on both Wednesday for what the league said was their ‘’hostile, verbal altercation’’ with several players in the Los Angeles Clippers’ locker room earlier this week.

No other players were disciplined, including Rockets guards James Harden and Chris Paul - both of whom left the Houston locker room with hopes of defusing the situation, the league said. ‘’You guys had a lot of different stories about

what happened, none of them which were true,’’ Ariza said Wednesday in Houston, before the league announced the suspensions. ‘’Everybody’s entitled to their own opinion.

The people that were there know exactly what happened and know exactly what did not happen.’’

So what happened? ‘’Nothing happened,’’ Ariza said. ‘’That’s what happened. Nothing.’’ Later, though, he conceded ‘’obviously, that’s not all that happened.’’

The NBA said that Ariza and Green went into the Clippers’ locker room to confront a Los Angeles player. The NBA didn’t reveal speci�ics of what went on in the locker room,

ARIZ,P13

twice in May and November to cap a banner year. Potter trains under Coach Conrad Alferez. Boy Lim

HICAGO (AP) -- When the Splash Brothers are making their shots, even Kevin Durant is content with a supporting role.

Such is life for the Golden State Warriors.

Klay Thompson scored 38 points, Stephen Curry added 30 and the Warriors beat the Chicago Bulls 119-112 on Wednesday night for their franchise record-tying 14th straight road win. ‘’It was an old-school Splash Brother game,’’ coach Steve Kerr said.

The ‘’Splash Brothers’’ nickname for Thompson and Curry has faded in prominence since Durant joined the duo before last season, but the sharpshooting guards can still put on a show. Thompson was 7 for 13 from 3-point range and Curry was 6 for 11 from behind the arc; no other player made a 3 for the Warriors. ‘’When they got it going like that, you just play your role and know your place, man,’’ Durant said.

Durant had 19 points, eight rebounds and seven assists as Golden State moved into a tie for the third-longest road winning streak in a season in NBA history. The Los Angeles Lakers hold the record with 16 straight road wins during the 1971-72 season.

Next up for the NBA-leading Warriors (37-9) is a primetime showdown with Houston on Saturday in the �inale of a �ive-game trip. ‘’It’s going to be a very tough game Saturday, probably the toughest of the trip,’’ Thompson said, ‘’and if we could go undefeated on this road trip that would be in-

credible.’’

Nikola Mirotic scored 24 points for Chicago, which dropped to 14-8 since its 3-20 start. Robin Lopez scored 12 of his 16 points in the �irst half, and Kris Dunn also had 16. ‘’We played three quarters of really good basketball, but you take one off against a team like this, you’re not going to win,’’ coach Fred Hoiberg said.

The Warriors played without Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala due to injuries, and Jordan Bell sprained his left ankle when he challenged Lopez’s dunk on the Bulls’ �irst possession. Bell stayed down for a while and then was helped to his feet. He tried to put pressure on his leg and grimaced before he opted for a wheelchair ride off the court.

The 23-year-old Bell was selected by the Bulls in the second round of the June draft and then dealt to the Warriors for �inancial considerations.

X-rays were negative, but he was using crutches and a walking boot after the win and will have an MRI on Thursday. ‘’It was de�initely way worse than a normal sprain,’’ Bell said. ‘’Like I said, I thought I broke it.’’

Thompson and Curry led the way as Golden State outscored Chicago 32-12 in the third quarter to open a 95-78 lead. Curry made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 9:23 left in the period, sparking a 19-0 run for the Warriors.

The Bulls made a late charge, closing to 112-107 on Dunn’s fast-break dunk with 2:55 left. Dunn landed awkwardly on the play and his face slammed into the �loor. He was being evaluated for a possible concussion after the loss.

Frampton on edge vs Donaire

C

arl Frampton believes the threat of hard-hitting Nonito Donaire will keep him “on edge” ahead of their April 21 showdown.

Frampton came face-toface with the dangerous Filipino at Wednesday’s opening press conference in Belfast.

A smiling Donaire was full of praise for the home favourite, in a �ight that both boxers have described as ‘make-orbreak’.

Frampton is hoping the April 21 clash can act as a stepping stone to a world title shot at Windsor Park this summer.

He is also aware that defeat to Donaire will leave his career at a potential crossroads.

“I think Donaire will bring out the best in me. I will be on edge the whole camp.,” Frampton said.

“He is a hell of a �ighter, he’s world class with devastating knockout power.

“I will need to be on it from start to �inish, and he will be the only person on my mind during training camp.

“I will be thinking about him a lot in this camp, and that will push me on.

SHOWDOWN. Carl Frampton of Belfast and Nonito Donaire of the Philippines finally met on Wednesday.

16 EDGEDAVAO Sports

A BRIDGE TOO FAR

Arum reacts to PacquiaoLomachenko chatter

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here have been reports from Filipino media outlets where Manny Pacquiao (59-7-2, 38 KOs) has stated that he was in discussions to face WBO junior lightweight titlist, Vasyl Lomachenko in the spring.

Pacquiao’s statements caught many by surprise, because he’s currently �ighting at the welterweight limit of 147-pounds and Lomachenko is still competing at 126-pounds.

While Lomachenko’s manager, Egis Klimas, has rejected the idea of the �ight - Bob Arum, the the founder of Top Rank (which represents both boxers) told BoxingScene. com on Wednesday that

there had discussions, but the catch-weight became the main sticking point.

Lomachenko is heading up to the lightweight division in the near future and the unbeaten boxer’s father and head trainer did not want him moving up too high for that �ight, “There had been discussions to �ight Lomachenko but the father of Lomachenko didn’t want him to jump two weight classes. Lomachenko will �ight �irst at lightweight and then what we’re trying to do is have Manny �ight a keep-busy �ight and then �ight Lomachenko in the fall,” Arum told BoxingScene.com.

Lomachenko, back on December 9th at the Theater in Madison Square Garden in New York City, stopped Guillermo Rigondeaux in six round of their heavily hyped bout in a junior lightweight contest.

VOL. 10 ISSUE 207 • FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 19-20 , 2018

MISMATCH. Vasyl Lomachencko currently fights at 126-lb limit while Manny Pacquiao is in the 147-lb limit.

Rigondeaux, who at the time held the WBA world title at 122-pounds, move up by two weight classes to take the �ight.

Pacquiao, in his last bout on July 1st, traveled over to Brisbane, Australia and suffered

an upset decision loss to 2012 Australian Olympian Jeff Horn, who walked away with the Filpino star’s WBO welterweight belt before a crowd of 51,000 at the Suncorp Stadium.

A match-up between

these two whirlwind southpaws would take place at 140-pounds.

“But the father said to jump from 130 to 140 was a bridge too far,” Arum reiterated.