Edge Davao 5 Issue 161

Mobanaw kaha ang dugo?

EDGEDAVAO P 15.00 • 20 PAGES

VOL.5 ISSUE 161 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2012

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Comelec closely watching

DavSur eyed as ‘hot spot’ anew

By Antonio M. Ajero

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HE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS (Comelec) is closely watching political developments in Davao del Sur as it may have to proclaim the province an “area of concern,” or what used to be called “hot spot” in the past.

Places where violence has erupted or is likely to erupt due to hotly-contested political positions, especially if there is a record of killings and other forms of violent incidents in the past are declared as “areas of concern” and placed under Comelec control. Then,

Prohibition vs carrying of firearms, other poll bans start next January

Comelec will deputize the military to assist it in maintaining law and order in places under the election body’s control.

Lawyer Marlon Casquejo, Comelec 11 spokesman, told newsmen covering the Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao annex, Monday morning, that Davao del Sur will likely be proclaimed a hot spot once again because of the close contests between the fami-

lies of Governor Douglas Ra. Cagas and that of the Buatistas.

Rep. Marc Cagas, son of Douglas, is running for governor against former Rep. Claude Bautista, who Douglas beat for the same position in the elections of 2007 and 2010.

Still in his second term as provincial governor, Douglas, also called “Dodo,” is running for mayor of Digos City against incum-

bent Mayor Joseph Penas, while his wife, provincial boardmember Mercedes “Didi” Cagas, will run for congresswoman to replace her son, Marc.

On the other hand, Claude has announced over the radio that he has actually won over Governor Cagas by around 8,000 votes in the 2010 election as shown by his electoral protest, but that the case is still on appeal. Claude said he expected to assume the position held by Cagas anytime soon.

FDAVASUR, 11

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Follow Us On CELEBRATION. About 500 Muslims together with civic and military groups gather to celebrate “Duyog sa Kalinaw,” a ceremonial signing of Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) at the Freedom Park in Roxas Ave. yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

2 Edgar Ibuyans seen in Davao City Council D

By Anthony S. Allada

ON’T look now, but there is a possibility of having not just two Ibuyans, but two Edgar Ibuyans in the Davao City Council in June, 2013 when the newly elected officials of the city will take their oath of office.

How will this amazing situation occur?

Here’s how: In 2013, when Paolo Duterte assumes as vice mayor (he is the only candidate for the position), he will have to vacate his post as president of the Association of Barangay Captains (ABC), the position that automatically qualified him to be a member of the Davao City. His vice president in the ABC --Edgar Ibuyan Jr. of Barangay No.

Two Victorio Advinculas, too There are now two Bonguyans

5-A, will become the president, and replace Duterte as member of the city council. He will thus be joining his father, Edgar Sr. who is as good as re-elected to the position, being a topnotcher (Top 3), next to Wendel Avisado and Leah Librado, in the 2010 city council derby.

Advincula family feud Aside from having two Edgar Ibuyans, there is also a possibility of having two Victorio Advinculas in the city council. This is brought about by the fact that both Sr. and Jr.

F2 EDGAR, 11

2 THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 161 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2012

JICA to intensify aid to Mindanao areas

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HE Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) welcomes the Framework Agreement on Bangsamoro which was signed yesterday by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) as a significant step towards lasting peace and sustainable development in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao.

Japan is contributing to peace and development of the Mindanao region through three aspects.

They are the dispatch of experts to the Social and Economic Development Section of the IMT; economic cooperation projects in conflict-affected areas through the Japan-Bangsamoro Initiatives for Reconstruction and Development (J-BiRD); and the participation in the International Contact Group (ICG) that is providing advice by attending the peace talks as an observer.

JICA reported it has been proactively implementing the reconstruc-

tion and development projects in Mindanao through J-BiRD with the aim of enhancing the peace building in the area.

J-BiRD was launched in December 2006 aiming Japan’s commitment to the peace process support to the Conflict-Affected Areas in Mindanao (CAAM) on the occasion of commemorating the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties between Japan and the Philippines. To date, J-BiRD has completed several projects in CAAM. “The final comprehensive peace agreement is yet to be seen. In spite of the issues left for further negotiation, JICA is confident that both parties will work even harder to conclude the peace agreement in the very near future. In the meantime, JICA commits itself to support the peace process as well as the people, who are aspiring for better lives under lasting peace,” said Hideaki Domichi, JICA senior vice president.

Phil. Veterans Bank eyes Tagum, Digos branches

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HE Philippine Veterans Bank is considering the establishment of two more branches in the Davao Region, possibly in Tagum City, the capital of Davao del Norte and Digos City in Davao del Sur. Miguel Angelo C. Villareal, PVB vice president and corporate communications head, told reporters the bank is expanding in the region as its provincial branches have grown in terms both of deposits and loans with the main clients being big government accounts.

Villareal said the bank hopes to serve new clients when it opens new branches, particularly corporations and local government

MindaVote born

units that have become their main sources of income. A branch becomes self sustaining if its total revenues reach about P100 million, he added.

Sometime last year and this year, the bank set up two branches in the last two years, one in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato and Koronadal City in South Cotabato.

He said the bank has been aggressive since 2010 in expansion as it set up 10 branches that year with the goal of growing its key products. “(The setting up of the new branches) all depends on the approval of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipi-

FVETERANS, 11

Advocacy group starts info drive on peace deal

A

N ADVOCACY group has been created to launch an information campaign on the framework that was the result of the continued peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

The group is MindaVote, which issued a press statement indicating that the information campaign is intended to “bring the details of the peace framework closer to Mindanao.”

Although it has to re-

veal details of the campaign, the group claimed it would lobby before the national government for development projects for Mindanao, saying it is “hopeful that these early gains can be sustained by all parties – the government, the MILF and all Mindanawans.”

The statement lauded both peace panels for eventually coming up with initial steps towards resolving the decades-old armed conflict in the island.

FADVOCACY 11

HOT SPOT. Lawyer Marlon S. Casquejo, assistant regional director and spokesman of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), right, says that Davao del Sur is considered as a hot spot in next year’s mid-term elections during the weekly Kapehan sa Dabaw at the annex of SM City Davao yesterday. Also

EDGEDAVAO

seen in the photo are Wilfred Teves, vice president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII), center, and Dr. Rafael Mercado, regional livestock division chief of the Department of Agriculture (DA). [LEAN DAVAL JR.]

Dividends of peace

Big rural bank excited over framework deal T

HE BUSINESS community is excited over the bright prospects of lasting peace in Mindanao as the framework agreement was signed between the Philippine government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Malacanang yesterday.

The banking sector in Mindanao, for instance, is definitely inspired the unfolding peace that would augur well for plans to expand in many places.

Alex V. Buenaventura, One Network Bank president, said that the implementation of framework will lead to the influx of businesses into the areas that will be identified as parts of the regional government that will replace

the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“This (implementation of the framework) is encouraging,” said Buenaventura whose bank is considered the rural bank with the widest reach in the country, having 87 branches, with 82 of them in Mindanao, six in the Visayas and one in Makati.

He said the signing of the framework may eventually lead the bank to consider opening branches in the autonomous region as it has yet to consider the region for its banking strategies.

“When there are many investors, banking facilities are necessary,” he said.

The bank’s principal owner, the Consunji family, has large investments

in the region and nearby areas in agriculture. Its coffee farm is in Sultan Kudarat which, although not part of the autonomous region, is a nearby province.

Buenaventura said the bank will evaluate its options when the implementation of the peace framework is finally implemented. “We look at this development in a positive note,” he said.

In its branching strategy, the bank considers an area ripe for a branch if potential growth is high and it does not have banks or underserved by banks.

Early this year, the bank ventured into expanding outside Mindanao when it decided to

partner with the Rural Bank of San Enrique, a six-branch rural bank based in Iloilo.

Buenaventura’s statement echoed the Mindanao business sector’s reaction to the report that the two peace panels have come with the framework of peace which is scheduled to be signed by President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III and Murad Ibrahim, leader of the rebel movement this week.

Among those who welcomed the framework was Simeon P. Marfori II, former president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Joji Ilagan-Bian, former chair of the Mindanao Business Council.

LTHOUGH they view the inking of the Framework Agreement between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Government of the Philippines (GPH) in Malacañan Palace Monday afternoon with “vigilant optimism,” the Catholic Bishops in Mindanao believe that “continuing consultations with all stakeholders are necessary

to bring the peace process forward.”

In an emailed statement, the Catholic Bishops in Mindanao cited the entire island’s experience when the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain (MOA-AD) in 2008 collapsed “due to its lack of transparency and certain provisions that were deemed unconstitutional.”

“In the aftermath of

that rejection, we recall the efforts of the Bishops-Ulama Conference to sponsor a year-long series of multi-sectoral consultations to uncover the underlying factors for promoting a culture of peace in Mindanao,” the statement entitled “Towards Building a Just and Lasting Peace in Mindanao” reads in part.

Archbishops Antonion Ledesma (Cagayan de Oro),

Jesus Dosado (Ozamiz), Orlando Quevedo; Bishops Guillermo Afable (Digos), Colin Bagaforo (Cotabato), Edwin de la Peña (Marawi), Jose Cabantan (Malaybalay), Elenito Galido (Iligan), Dinualdo Gutierrez (Marbel), Martin Jumoad (Isabela); and Monsignor Cris Manongas signed the emailed statement dated October 14.

FBIG, 11

Mindanao prelates ‘vigilantly hopeful’ on Bangsamoro pact A

FMINDANAO, 11

SUBURBIA

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 161 •TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2012

DTI DavNor issues 3-T ICC helmet stickers

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PARTNERSHIP. The government of Tagum City renews its partnership with the Tagum Water District in providing quality water to Tagumeños. City Councilor De Carlo “Oyo” L. Uy (2nd from left) and TWD General Manager Nelly M. Gentugaya along with other councilors and board directors of TWD sign

the memorandum of agreement for the construction of two additional water pumping stations in Barangay Apokon. The land is donated by Tagum City government. [LOuIE LAPAt/CIO tAguM]

Water pumping stations ready for construction in Tagum City T

HE local government of Tagum City led by City Mayor Rey Uy had renewed ties with its staunch ally in environmental conservation—the Tagum Water District (TWD)—in the latter’s pursuit to provide safe and potable water for the constituents of the city.

City Councilor De Carlo “Oyo” Uy, who represented the local chief executive, led in the signing

of the Memorandum of Agreement last October 8, 2012 with TWD under the leadership of its new general manager, Mrs. Nelly M. Gentugaya, which formalizes the donation of 200 square meters of land at Purok 2-Durian and Purok 2-Villa Consuelo in Barangay Apokon, this city.

The aforementioned parcels of land which are owned by the City Government of Tagum will be

used for the construction of two additional production wells or water pumping stations by the TWD. Said donation was granted through the passage of Sangguniang Panlungsod Resolution No. 726, s. 2012. Under the MOA, the TWD shall also construct a sub-officer near each of the pumping stations in the accretion area which will serve as a venue and accommo-

dation for a meeting with the city’s local and foreign visitors.

Gentugaya expressed gratitude to this yet another partnership with LGU Tagum, which is not the first time.

The Tagum Water District also partnered with LGU Tagum in developing the Tagum Botanical Park in Barangay San Agustin and other major accretion areas. [LOuIE LAPAt/CIO

are now planted with vegetables.

The outpost, which they call the “frontline,” is located on a hill overlooking the barangays of Dungguan, Mampurok and even Baliki in Midsayap town.

“From here, you could see the MILF running in the ricefields whenever they are being attacked by government forces,” Cabaya told Mindanews.

But today, he said, the villagers work on their farm without any fear.

With the signing of the Framework of Agreement on the Bangsamoro, Cabaya said he is hopeful it could bring positive changes inside and outside the proposed territory.”

“What is important is the good relationship among the Muslims, Lumads and Christians,” he added.

No more machine guns Aside from the frontline outpost, Cabaya also showed an active outpost along the national highway and right at the junction leading to the frontline.

Though there are CVOs on duty, there are no guns on display. Instead, MindaNews found grass cutters on the fortified wall, where they used to mount the machine gun facing the national highway.

“They used to mount a machine gun here. And this outpost is always manned with armed CVO. But now, you can only find a grass cutter,” the mayor added.

But Baglolibas Kagawad Nor Zaydee Lozada told Mindanews that they are still vigilant despite the seeming normalcy in the area.

She said the CVOs are still taking turns in manning the outpost along the national highway as part of their security measures against lawless elements targeting their farm animals.

Lessons from past Unlike the ill-fated MOAAD, the process of coming up with Framework Agreement was more transparent, the mayor said.

“One of the lessons from

MOA-AD was that we were not consulted. When they were about to sign it, that’s the time we knew about the agreement, “ Cabaya said.

In the new agreement, the government peace panel held several consultations with local government officials, he said.

“We were assured by the government peace panel that there would be no signing until the local leaders have enough knowledge,” the mayor added.

“Though this is far from over, since the details have yet to be crafted, we are hopeful that this would be the genuine solution to the decades of conflict in Mindanao.”

The clashes between the government forces and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels, led by then commander Ustadz Amiril Umra Kato of the 105th BaseCommand of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces (BIAF), spilled into the nearby province of Maguindanao in 2008. [KEIth BA-

tAguM]

In Aleosan, CVO outposts abandoned; mayor says ‘Peace is already imminent’

“P

EACE is already imminent,” said Aleosan, North Cotabato Mayor Loreto Cabaya Jr. as he pointed to an abandoned outpost of the armed Cvilian Volunteers Organization (CVO) in Barangay Bagolibas.

“As you can see, nobody is here. We are no longer on alert,” he told MindaNews.

Cabaya said the CVOs, who are also farmers in the village, can work on their farms without having to carry their rifles or being watched by fellow armed CVOs. “You can see that it has been a long time since the CVOs have utilized this post,” he said.

Cabaya recalls that in the wars in 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2008, they mounted several machine guns and mortars to defend this village from guerrillas of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Though the running trenches are still evident, it is now covered with thick grass and the surroundings

3

CONgCO / MINDANEws]

HE Provincial Office of the Department of Trade and Industry XI in Davao del Norte has issued a total of 3,392 Import Commodity Clearance (ICC) stickers in the area since August 6, 2012. This covers Tagum City, Asuncion, Kapalong, New Corella and Dujali.

“This includes the 709 ICC stickers we have issued to the residents of the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCos) last October 8,” Provincial Trade and Industry Development Analyst Delvin Santos said. DTI brought their caravan of services to IGaCos as part of the Consumer Month celebration.

The issuance of the ICC stickers is in preparation for the full implementation of Republic Act 10054, also known as the Motorcycle Helmet Act, by January 1, 2013. The Law mandates the use of standard protective helmets for motorcycles in order to ensure the safety of the motorists and their passengers.

Once the law becomes fully implemented motorcycle drivers and their passengers will be required to use only standard motorcycle helmets with ICC stickers issued by DTI, which is the primary agency allowed to certify the helmets. Those who already have helmets are thus encouraged to go to the various offices of DTI to

have their helmets inspected.

Section 4 of the Law however exempts tricycle drivers from the helmet requirement.

Santos said that under the Product Certification Scheme of the DTI-Bureau of Product Standards, all importers and manufacturers of motorcycle helmets are mandated to secure the PS license or the ICC certificate before they sell or distribute the helmets.

Research shows an almost 50 percent increase in the number of motorcycles in IGaCos from 2,668 in 2003 to 4,072 in 2008. Motorcycles are the primary mode of transportation in the island city. DTI’s Francis Panares said based on their latest data, a total of 40,000 motorcycles have been registered in Davao del Norte which includes Tagum City and IGaCos. The law provides a fine of between P10,000 and P20,000 for those who will tamper, imitate, forge or alter the ICC certificates and the PS mark. Those who will violate the Motorcycle Helmet Act will have to pay a fine of P1,500 for the first offense, P3,000 for the second offense, P5,000 for the third offense and P10,000 and the confiscation of the driver’s license for the fourth and succeeding offenses.[LOVELY A. CARILLO]

TADECO executive honored as UPLB distinguished alumnus “Father of Sigatoka Control” cited for outstanding scientific contributions in Plant Disease Management

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HE University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) College of Agriculture recognized Dr. Vivencio L. Quiñon, Senior Consultant for Agriculture of the Tagum Agricultural Development Company (TADECO), Inc., as UPLB’s Distinguished Alumnus Awardee for Science and Technology.

The award-giving body cited Dr. Quiñon for his outstanding scientific contributions in the control of major diseases of pineapple, banana, and citrus in large plantations of major corporations in Mindanao.

“He has been for many years and continues to be an integral player in our agricultural team.

His being an intelligent leader marked an exemplary contribution to the development and success of the company,” said Alexander N. Valoria, President of the Anflo Management and Investment Corporation, the Management and Investment Company of TADECO, as he commended Dr. Quiñon for this honour.

Dr. Quiñon was also honoured for his research breakthrough in developing Calixin (Tridemorp) in

1972 as one of the most effective fungicides in controlling the most destructive disease of bananas called Sigatoka.

This remarkable breakthrough has enabled the country’s large banana growers and exporters to control the spread of the disease for more than 30 years – a realization that hailed him as “The Father of Sigatoka Control”.

“This substantiates his expertise as a scientist and his dedication to his work. His contribution and wide experience in research and technology is really evident in TADECO, the world leader in banana production and quality,” remarked Valoria.

With the company’s Sigatoka Control Program under the guidance of Dr. Quiñon, TADECO remains to be the largest and most efficient contiguous banana plantation in the world, producing a total volume of 32,555,607 boxes or 5,000 boxes per hectare per year.

“We all look forward to many more years of his valuable input and advice as we expand ANFLOCOR’s banana operations,” said Valoria. [CYRIELLE P. NAIg]

4 SCIENCE/ENVIRONMENT

VOL.5 ISSUE 161 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Co-ops continue support to DCWD’s Adopt-a-Site

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Dogs’ breakfasts boost search performance E

ATING a morning meal increases search accuracy in dogs, a new study suggests.

Researchers at the University of Kentucky tested the search performance of trained dogs after either consuming breakfast or fasting.

The study found the canines searched more accurately 30 minutes after a meal than those that searched when hungry.

Findings from the research by Dr Holly Miller and colleague Charlotte Bender were recently published in the journal Behavioural Processes.

Studies demonstrating that children do better in cognitive exercises when they have eaten breakfast led Dr Miller to “wonder if a breakfast

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would also improve performance by dogs”.

So Dr Miller and Ms Bender tested trained domestic dogs’ (Canis familiaris) accuracy when finding hidden food, after either eating a morning meal or completing the task without eating.

To ensure that all dogs had depleted energy levels before the search test began, the dogs were required to exhibit self-control for 10 minutes in a ‘sit and stay’ exercise.

A previous study by Dr Miller demonstrated that the exertion of self-control depletes dogs’ energy levels as well as their ability to perform certain tasks.

The dogs were shown a treat that was subsequently hidden in one of six containers. Dogs that had eaten breakfast 30

minutes beforehand navigated to the treat more accurately than those that hadn’t eaten for 12 hours.

“The key finding here is rather simple: breakfast can aid performance by dogs,” Dr Miller told BBC Nature.

But is the same true for their wild relatives the closely related wolves, coyotes and jackals?

“Here is where it gets a bit complicated,” she said.

A well-balanced diet When “dogs eat a diet that is rich with carbohydrates [such as commercial dog food], their brains are more dependent on glucose and more affected by fluctuations in glucose levels,” explained Dr Miller.

But with a diet of hunted meat, where the carbohydrate level is low but fat content is high, the

brain switches to its secondary fuel source of ketone bodies instead of the preferential glucose.

“If these animals are consuming a natural diet, that is not scavenged from the dump, they are probably in a state of ketosis where energy for neural processes does not fluctuate much,” Dr Miller explained.

This means that a single small meal may not have a big effect on problem-solving and may make “wolves and coyotes less impulsive and more cautious”.

But Dr Miller continued, “When hungry they become less able to control their behaviour and this might be why, when hungry, they are so much more dangerous and unpredictable.” [BBC Nature]

LAMS in all regional offices of the Department, the people can expect not only a more efficient delivery of land services, but also enhanced integrity of our land titles,” Paje said.

A product under the second phase of the Land Administration and Management Project (LAMP2), LAMS involved not only the build-up of database but also the installation of required hardware infrastructures.Specifically, the project requires the computerization of land records but also scanning and encoding of maps, survey plans and public land applications.

Citing the on-going land row involving Wilfredo Torres, homeowners of various subdivisions in Quezon City, and the Land Registration

Authority (LRA), Paje expressed optimism that land conflicts arising from erroneous data, duplication of records, multiple sources of land information and like will be minimized.

“I can assure you that with LAMS, every land transaction will be very transparent.

President Aquino expects us to ensure that all government transactions will be transparent,” Paje stressed.

According to him, information on land titles as well as cadastral maps and information will be made available to the public to guide local government units and survey maps to land surveyors, including land applications, he said.

“With LAMS,” he said, “we hope to address such perennial problems relat-

ed to land administration like fake and fraudulent land titles, overlapping of boundaries and graft and corruption.”

Alongside LAMS, Paje said that the DENR was also set to fast track the cadastral survey of the remaining unsurveyed and partially surveyed areas in the country next year.

The move, according to Paje, is in support of other government projects such as land disposition, land use planning, taxation and internal revenue allotment (IRA) program for local government units nationwide.

President Benigno Aquino III has given the DENR a marching order to complete the nationwide cadastral survey before the end of his term in 2016. [PNA]

DENR gears up for full implementation of LMS

HE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is gearing up for the full implementation of the land administration and management system (LAMS) starting next year in an effort to address land-related problems in the country.

At the same time, the DENR is also set to speed up the cadastral survey of the remaining areas in the country.

DENR Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje said that LAMS was an information system designed to help the Land Management Bureau and the regional land management services of DENR in the management of land data and information, and other land records.

“With the installation of

OUR more cooperatives joined the growing number of cooperative-adopters of Davao City Water District’s Adopt-a-Site project last October 2, 2012 during the launching program of the Cooperative Month celebration this year themed “Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World”. The cooperatives are DIPPSCOR Employees Multi-Purpose Cooperative (DEMULCO), First Community Cooperative (FCC), JC Workers Members Cooperative (JCWMC) and King Cooperative.

To officially seal the commitment, DCWD OIC – assistant general manager for administration Mildred G. Aviles signed the memorandum of agreement with DEMULCO Chair Sanieto A. Sebellino, FCC Chair Jesus G. Cornito, JCWMC Chair Reywel R. Pomicpic and King Coop general manager Nestor D. Ortigoza.

Each cooperative adopted one hectare of land inside Mt. Talomo-Lipadas watershed.

The adopters pledged to donate 6,000 pesos yearly for five years for the planting and maintenance services in their adopted lands. The services will be contracted through the utility’s community partners living in-

side the watershed area.

DCWD will take charge of the monitoring activities and other budgetary requirements.

Aviles encouraged other cooperatives to take part in the greening program and thanked adopters and the Davao City Cooperative Development Office (CCDO) and the Davao City Cooperative Development Council for supporting the utility’s Adopt-a-Site project.

Through multi-sectoral partnership, DCWD has completed the rehabilitation of 530 hectares inside Mt. Talomo-Lipadas watershed in year 2010.

In year 2011, DCWD also started the rehabilitation of an additional 470 hectares to complete the 1,000 hectares watershed rehabilitation project.

With DCWD’s success in the implementation of the Adopt-a-Site project, it serves as a model in conceptualizing the newly launched Lunhaw Dabaw Program (LDP) as emulated by the CCDO to further increase participation on environmental protection. The LDP is open for replication all over the countryside to eventually transform communities towards green Philippines or Lunhaw Pilipinas. [JOVANA DuhAYLuNgsOD AND sYLVIA VOsOtROs]

Legarda: Empower women, build disaster-resilient communities

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ENATOR Loren Legarda urged government to ensure that women and girls are provided avenues to participate in order to build disaster-resilient communities.

“Women and girls account for 52% of the world’s population. Over 100 million of which are affected by disasters annually,” Legarda noted.

“As they bear the impact of disasters, it is important that we pay attention to their experience and knowledge,” she added.

Legarda, the United Nations Regional Champion for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Asia-Pacific, also said that even disaster rescue efforts discriminate against women.

“In the 2006 tsunami that killed scores in Indonesia and Sri Lanka, male survivors outnumbered its female counterparts in a 3 to 1 and 4 to 1 ratio,” she noted.

Legarda, who chairs the Senate Committee on Climate Change, also said that in times of disaster and economic stress, women are the primary caregivers, bearing the

burden of caring for the sick and carrying out much of the household workload after a disaster.

Women have distinct nutritional needs that make coping with disasters tougher and harsher.

“Despite these, women have been silently and effectively at the frontline of disaster prevention and climate change adaptation efforts,” Legarda said.

“In the Municipality of San Francisco in Camotes Island, Cebu, which is one of the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction’s 29 model communities worldwide that are exemplars in disaster risk reduction and management, 90% of officers in charge of environmental protection and disaster prevention programs in each and every purok are women, since most of the male residents are focused on making a living for their families. The Purok System focuses on mobilizing local resources in creating local and practical solutions based on the vulnerability and unique needs of every community. The program includes the “no trash segregation – no collection” policy,” she added.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 161 •TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2012

5

6 THE ECONOMY

VOL.5 ISSUE 161 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2012

Stat Watch Dividends of peace

1. Gross National Income Growth Rate (At Constant 2000 Prices)

5.8% 1st Qtr 2012

2. Gross Domestic Product Growth Rate (At Constant 2000 Prices)

6.4 % 1st Qtr 2012

3. Exports 1/ 4. Imports 1/ 5. Trade Balance 6. Balance of Payments 2/ 7. Broad Money Liabilities

USD 4,931 million May 2012 USD 4,770 million Apr 2012 USD -135 million Apr 2012 USD -209 million Mar 2012 P 4,580,674 million Apr 2012

8. Interest Rates 4/

4.1 % May 2012 P131,403 million May 2012 P 5,075 billion Apr 2012

9. National Government Revenues 10. National government outstanding debt 11. Peso per US $ 5/

P 42.78 Jun 2012

12. Stocks Composite Index 6/

5,091.2 May 2012

13. Consumer Price Index 2006=100

130.1 Jun 2012

14. Headline Inflation Rate 2006=100

2.8 Jun 2012

15. Core Inflation Rate 2006=100

3.7 Jun 2012

16. Visitor Arrivals

349,779 Apr 2012

17. Underemployment Rate 7/

18.8 % Jan 2012

18. Unemployment Rate 7/

7.2 % Jan 2012

MONTHLY AVERAGE EXCHANGE RATE (January 2009 - December 2011) Month Average December November October September August July June May April March February January

2012

2011

2010

42.85 42.70 42.86 42.66 43.62

43.31 43.64 43.27 43.45 43.02 42.42 42.81 43.37 43.13 43.24 43.52 43.70 44.17

45.11 43.95 43.49 43.44 44.31 45.18 46.32 46.30 45.60 44.63 45.74 46.31 46.03

Cebu Pacific Daily Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Fri/Sun Philippine Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Silk Air Mon/Wed/Sat Cebu Pacific Thu Cebu Pacific Tue/Wed//Sat

5J961 / 5J962 Z2390 / Z2390 5J593 / 5J348 PR809 / PR810 PR819 / PR820 5J394 / 5J393 5J599 / 5J594 5J347 / 5J596 5J963 / 5J964 PR811 / PR812 5J595 / 5J966 MI588 / MI588 5J965 / 5J968 5J965 / 5J968

EDGEDAVAO

Big rural bank excited over framework deal T

HE BUSINESS community is excited over the bright prospects of lasting peace in Mindanao as the framework agreement was signed between the Philippine government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front in Malacanang yesterday.

The banking sector in Mindanao, for instance, is definitely inspired the unfolding peace that would augur well for plans to expand in many places.

Alex V. Buenaventura, One Network Bank president, said that the implementation of framework will lead to the influx of businesses into the areas that will be identified as parts of the regional government that will replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

“This (implementation of the framework) is encouraging,” said Buenaventura whose bank is considered the rural bank with the widest reach in

the country, having 87 branches, with 82 of them in Mindanao, six in the Visayas and one in Makati.

He said the signing of the framework may eventually lead the bank to consider opening branches in the autonomous region as it has yet to consider the region for its banking strategies. “When there are many investors, banking facilities are necessary,” he said.

The bank’s principal owner, the Consunji family, has large investments in the region and nearby areas in agriculture. Its coffee farm is in Sultan Kudarat which, although not part of the autonomous region, is a nearby province.

Buenaventura said the bank will evaluate its options when the implementation of the peace framework is finally implemented. “We look at this development in a positive note,” he said.

In its branching strategy, the bank considers an area ripe for a branch if potential growth is high and it does not have banks or underserved by banks.

Early this year, the bank ventured into expanding outside Mindanao when it decided to partner with the Rural Bank of San Enrique, a six-branch rural bank based in Iloilo.

Buenaventura’s statement echoed the Mindanao business sector’s reaction to the report that the two peace panels have come with the framework of peace which is scheduled to be signed by President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III and Murad Ibrahim, leader of the rebel movement this week.

Among those who welcomed the framework was Simeon P. Marfori II, former president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Joji Ilagan-Bian,

former chair of the Mindanao Business Council.

Both business leaders said the framework will lead to the coming into Mindanao more investments.

Bian, however, said there is still a need for both government and the rebel movement to discuss how issues related to the peace process be implemented in such a way that the decades old armed conflict is put to an end.

The signing of the framework is the second for the Philippne government in 16 years as the government, under then President Fidel V. Ramos, also signed a peace agreement with the Nur Misuari-led Moro National Liberation Front on September 2, 1996.

The peace agreement that it signed with the group of Misuari is among the issues that have to be discussed in relation to the latest framework.

US mining firm announces partnership with Villar Group A

N American mining firm, St. Augustine Gold and Copper Limited (SAGCL), announced its partnership with Queensberry Mining and Development Corporation headed by Manuel Paolo Villar of the Philippines.

With the partnership, Queensberry may ultimately acquire a total stake in St. Augustine of up to approximately 23.7% through both the potential acquisition of secondary shares through option agreements and a private placement with the Company, subject to Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) regulatory approval where the foreign firm is publicly listed.

Russell Mining and Minerals, ULC (“RMMU”), currently the largest share-

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holder of SAGCL, has agreed at the request of St. Augustine to option up to 70 million shares of the Company at US$0.40 per share to Queensberry through a private transaction in order to help facilitate the entry of Queensberry as a strategic partner to SAGCL. As part of the private placement transaction, Queensberry’s President and CEO, Manuel Paolo A. Villar will be nominated to a director position on St. Augustine’s board to replace Andrew J. Russell who has agreed to step down as a director, while staying on as CEO of the Company.

In a released statement, SAGCL stated that Mr. Villar brings a tremendous amount of experience in public Philippine operations.

He is a Director and

Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Iloilo Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Zamboanga-Davao-Zamboanga Cebu-Davao-Cebu Iloilo-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Cebu-Davao-Manila Davao-Cebu-Singapore Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila

as of august 2010

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EMBROIDERY MACHINE. An employee of Brother Philippines tries out the company’s new product, an industrial embroidery machine, which designed for busy garment businesses at the Annex of SM City Davao yesterday. [LEAN DAVAL JR.] President and Chief Executive Officer of Vista Land and Lifescapes, Inc. and a director of Starmall, Inc., two very large national corporations in the Philippines. He graduated from Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA with a Bachelor

Silk Air Thu/Sun Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Wed/Fri Philippine Airlines August Zest Air Daily Cebu Pacific Daily Philippines Airlines Daily Cebu Pacific Mon/Tue/Thu/Sat Cebu Pacific Daily Cebu Pacific Tue/Sat/Sun Cebu Pacific Daily Airphil Express Daily Philippine Airlines Daily except Sunday Philippine Airlines Sunday

MI566 / MI566 5J507 / 5J598 15:55 Z2524 / Z2525 5J967 / 5J600 PR813 / PR814 5J215 / 5J216 5971 / 5J970 5J973 / 5J974 5J969 / 5J972 2P987 / 2P988 PR821 / PR822 PR821 / PR822

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of Science in Economics and Bachelor of Applied Science. After graduating, he was a consultant for McKinsey & Co. in the United States. He later joined Crown Asia as Head of Corporate Planning prior to his position with Vista Land and Lifescapes.

Davao-Singapore Cebu-Davao-Cebu 16:50 Cebu-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Cebu Manila-Davao-Manila Cagayan de Oro-Davao-Cagayan de Oro Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila Manila-Davao-Manila

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MOTORING 7

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 161 •TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2012

Ford records high monthly sales F

ORD Philippines today reported its best monthly performance of the year, with September retail sales jumped 68 percent from the previous month to 964 units – representing one of the company’s all-time highest sales months in the Philippines.

September sales were given an extra boost with the first full month of availability for all four newly launched Ford vehicles in the Philippines, including the all-new Ranger, the all-new Explorer with EcoBoost, allnew Focus and the iconic Mustang sports car. “Our showrooms across the country are now packed with the widest lineup of vehicles that Ford has ever offered in the Philippines, which is really helping broaden the appeal of our brand to so many new-to-Ford customers,”said Randy Krieger, president, Ford Group Philippines.

“The introduction of the class-defining all-new Ranger, the technology-packed all-new Focus, the Mustang and all-new Explorer with EcoBoost have reinforced our commitment to offer vehicles that are segment-leaders in design, smart technology, fuel efficiency and safety,” added Krieger.

In September, Ford began deliveries of the

new Ford Mustang– available in 3.7L Mustang V6 Premium and 5.0L Mustang V8 GT Premium variants – with 40 units of the iconic sports car already being handed over to customers.

The all-new Ford Explorer continues to redefine the SUV segment, and in September delivered retail sales of 118 units, representing its best monthly performance since its October 2011 launch.

Ford’s exciting and interactive “All-New Focus - Start it. Share it. Win it.” campaign will culminate this month, with voting for the finalists kicking off next week andone participant winning an all-new Ford Focus Titanium+.

The campaign allows consumers to experience two of the all-new Focus’ first-in-segment smart technologies – Active Park Assist and Active City Stop – with real-life ‘smart demos’ at locations across Metro Manila.

Sales of the class-defining all-new Ford Ranger jumped 271 percent from last month to 156 units. More than 600 allnew Rangers have now been delivered to customers across the country.

September sales of the popular Ford Fiesta were again strong, rising

28 percent from the previous month.

In addition to the solid sales performance, Ford also received several accolades last month during the annual C! Magazine Awards, with the 1.6L Fiesta Sport Plus being recognized as ‘Best Sub-Compact’, the 2.2L Ranger XLT as ‘Best Pick-Up’, and 3.5L Ford Explorer Limited as ‘Best Mid-Size Executive’.

Ford is on track to opening 12 new locations to its authorized dealer network by yearend, supporting the com-

and will cater to the needs of Toyota owners as well as prospect buyers in the northern part of Region XI. Toyota Tagum will be the third full dealership facility in the region after Toyota Davao and Toyota General Santos.

The groundbreaking

ceremony was led by Toyota Davao President Jose A Lim III who was joined by VP-Treasurer Joseph Elmer S Magaway, General Manager Jose F Lim IV, Finance and Administration Manager Sufran C Insao and Service Manager Gregorio V Lasco, Jr.

Toyota Tagum groundbreaking

T

HE country’s automotive leader, TOYOTA, finally broke ground in Canocotan, Tagum City last September 28 where construction of a worldclass full dealership facility will start shortly.

The dealership will be a branch of Toyota Davao

pany’s aggressive growth plan in the Philippines.

The new dealership locations include Baguio,

Bohol, Butuan, Cainta, General Santos, Isabella, Laoag, Makati, Naga, Pampanga, Tarlac and

Zamboanga. In Davao, the Ford dealership is located at Lanang, Davao City.

got the power-domed clam-shell hood serving as the final exclamation point. Though the shape is largely limited by being a pick-up, the Ranger features some nifty design features like the stamped wheel arches, built-in rear spoiler on the tail gate, and most notably significantly reduced body panel gaps.

As smart as the Ranger is on the outside, it’s absolutely genius inside.

Having a tough wearing interior that stands up to the demands of being a workhorse is a given, but the Ranger manages to cram features which put most passenger cars to shame. For instance, there’s a multitude of storage spaces including a large glove box that can fit a 16-inch laptop. Then there are door pockets that can fit 1.5-liter bottles and smaller bins for mobile phones and other knickknacks. The rear bench can even be folded up revealing two lockable storage bins for tools and other items. With there’s a lot of space for your gadgets and drinks, there’s even more room for five full-grown adults. With its B-pillar moved forward, the Ranger has enough leg room and knee clearance to impress even the mother-in-law.

In addition to the class-leading space and storage, the Ranger boasts of car-like refinement and ergonomics.

The seating offers six-way adjustment for the driver and a less upright rear bench. The seats them-

selves offer good support and the steering, while lacking telescopic adjustment, still falls right in hand. All the controls are clearly marked and easy to use, with the animated full-color display on the center stack serving as an excellent highlight. The XLT model also features voice command integration to its full suite of connectivity options from Bluetooth to USB to full iPod connectivity. It helps too that the standard sound system is crisp and clear.

Engineered as the next-generation pick-up truck, the Ranger’s entire drivetrain is new and combines power, efficiency, and durability. Since the 3.2-liter inline-5 isn’t available yet, the local Ranger makes do with the 2.2-liter inline-4 common rail direct injection diesel.

It may not have class-leading figures, but the 150 horsepower and 375 Nm of torque are more than adequate. Equipped with the six-speed automatic, the Ranger initially feels sluggish from a standstill, but as the revs go up and the turbo kicks in, the engine delivers the goods in a smooth, linear fashion.

Shift shocks are noticeable especially when the transmission downshifts from a high gear to first (say at an abrupt stop), but the Ranger remains refined, especially given that it’s a pick-up truck.

The brakes are equally excellent and responsive as well.

The six-speed auto-

Car Review: 2012 Ford Ranger

P

ick-up trucks, by nature, serve a single purpose: they’re workhorses. They’re the modern day equivalent of “beasts of burden”—rarely beautiful, but highly prized for their durability and dependability. But as consumers are introduced to much more sophisticated fare, how can this lowly beast of burden remain true to its humble origin, and yet, serve its new, pickier generation of masters?

For Ford and their allnew Ranger, the answer is quite simple: remain true to your brand DNA. Though it may sound so ridiculously simple, in reality how do you jam pack the Ranger’s 20-year history into a clean-slate design? After all, the Ranger always had something new be it best torque or power in its class to having the segment’s first five-speed automatic. In the end, they threw everything you knew about the pick-up truck and flipped it on its head.

From the ground up, the Ranger is all-new.

There are little carry-over parts, and those that are, easily fit inside your pocket. Yet, a single glance is enough to convey a powerful reminder that this is a Ford; that this carries the brand’s rich and illustrious history while remaining truly modern. The overall look is simple but brash. The front is dominated by the now signature three-bar grille and flanking it are large, squared-off headlamps. And then you’ve

FCAR, 11

8 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 161 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

Privacy and whole genome sequencing ANALYSIS

By Amy GutmAnn

T

EDITORIAL

T

In the eye of the storm

HERE ARE at least three members of the Philippine Senate who are under the glare of the scrutinizing eyes of the public for certain controversial actions they have done or are doing.

First is Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III who until now is severely criticized and ridiculed for reportedly copying or plagiarizing certain portions of his series of speeches opposing the controversial Reproductive Health Bill. An unrepentant, even defiant Tito Sotto came out swinging at his critics, arguing that there was nothing wrong with what he or his ghost writers did-- lifting ideas of other people and passing them off as their own. Sotto was the clear loser here, if you ask the bloggers who went to town bashing the former singer comedian.

The second senator in the eye of the storm right now is no less than the Senate President, Juan Ponce Enrile.

It is about the ambush of Enrile, then the justice secretary, near Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club. This incident was cited by then President Ferdinand Marcos as one of the immediate reasons he proclaimed Martial Law on September 21, 1972. When Enrile and Fidel V. Ramos, then deputy chief of staff of the Armed Forces, led the Edsa revolt in 1986, Enrile was quoted to have said that the ambush was fake and only used by Marcos to justify the proclamation of Martial Law. Then in his biography launched last month, Enrile contradicted the 1986 report saying that the ambush was not fake. Which is which?

The Senate president is now reported to be ready to debate with anybody who insist the ambush was fake. Who

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will believe what in this latest controversy involving Enrile? Will the controversy help or adversely affect the candidacy of his son and namesake Juan Ponce Enrile Jr., a.k.a “Jackie,” for senator ?

The third controversial senator is Ralph Recto. His is a mutli-billion peso controversy. He is under attack for allegedly betraying the executive branch of the government for reporting out a watered down version of the sin taxes bill as chair of the Senate committee on ways and means. Recto, who vehemently denied that big lobby money of tobacco companies was behind his version of the bill, is now being pilloried in the media not only by Cabinet members but also by some of his colleagues in the Senate.

Note that the House version authored by Davao City’s own Rep. Isidro Ungab, chair of the House committee on ways and means, and now Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya, is expected to generate no less than P30 billion worth of taxes. However, Recto’s version will raise only P15 billion.

Will the three senators survive their respective crisis?

To be sure, all three figured in past controversies cost them dearly. If memory serves us right, all three lost senatorial bids in the past because of adverse issues they were involved in. Remember Recto’s most hated VAT (value added tax) law. Unfortunately, all three are not in the running in next year’s mid-term election. Aside from elections, is there a way they can feel the wrath of an offended public?

ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

RAMON M. MAXEy Consultant kENNETH IRVING k. ONG Creative Solutions

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CARLO P. MALLO Features and Lifestyle

LEANDRO S. DAVAL JR. • JOSEPH LAWRENCE P. GARCIA Photography

JADE C. ZALDIVAR • VICky BERDINA M. DE GuZMAN ANTHONy S. ALLADA • AQuILES Z. ZONIO Staff Writers

Columnists: MA. TERESA L. UNGSON • EDCER C. ESCUDERO • AURELIO A. PEñA • ZHAUN ORTEGA • BERNADETTE “ADDIE” B. BORBON • MARY ANN “ADI” C. QUISIDO • LEANDRO B. DAVAL SR., • NIKKI GOTIANSE-TAN • NICASIO ANGELO AGUSTIN • EMILY ZEN CHUA • CARLOS MUNDA Economic Analyst: ENRICO “GICO” G. DAYANGIRANG • JONALLIER M. PEREZ

SOLANI D. MARATAS Finance AGuSTIN V. MIAGAN JR Circulation

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HE price of sequencing your whole genome is dropping so rapidly that it soon may cost about $1,000 to know your entire genetic blueprint. Our whole genome sequence data can reveal predispositions to diabetes, cancer or psychiatric conditions. It can even help a doctor prescribe the right dosage of certain medications. It will soon be less expensive to sequence your entire genome – to know its more than 20,000 genes and 6 billion DNA building blocks – than to perform some individual genetic tests for cancer or metabolic diseases.

Doctors and researchers believe that this achievement will revolutionize medicine. The ability to link variations in DNA with health and disease could mean radical new ways to predict and treat not just cancer but also heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia.

The issue is that these potentially lifesaving discoveries depend on large numbers of people sharing their private information to enable researchers to compare large genomic databases with relevant disease states, and sharing data is still far from risk free. Individuals are not likely to have confidence in the system until we develop and enact state and federal laws governing the use of genomic sequencing data.

Right now, in most states, almost anything goes. For instance, someone could legally pick up your discarded coffee cup and send a minuscule sample of your saliva out for sequencing to determine if you show a predisposition to neurodegenerative disease. Surreptitious genetic sequencing of this sort could become a whole new arms race in conflicts ranging from custody cases to boardroom battles – unless we act soon to bring some common sense to regulation.

Confusion has its consequences. Consider the case of Victoria Grove. A genetic test obtained through a private company came back positive for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. The genetic illness means her body doesn’t make enough protein to protect her lungs and liver from damage. It can lead to emphysema and liver disease. Grove was unsure if such genetic information in her medical record might deny her health insurance or limit future employment prospects. So she didn’t tell her doctor for three years. It wasn’t until she was very ill with pneumonia and was having trouble getting the antibiotics she needed that she broke down in tears, confiding to a nurse: “I have alpha-1, and I need that antibiotic.” Today, Victoria says she wishes that her distrust of genetic privacy protections hadn’t led her to put her health at risk.

Now her son still refuses to get tested for the disease, since he works for a small company and buys his own health insurance.

When people like the Groves are influenced by privacy fears in their personal healthcare decisions, they create risks for their personal health. But they are also limiting our ability to advance medical science. America’s healthcare and pharmaceutical industries will need genetic information from thousands of people to devise the next generation of therapies. But we cannot expect individuals to offer their personal genetic information for the common good if harm could come to them as a result. We need to put adequate privacy protections in place.

The Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues recently released a report that makes 12 concrete recommendations to begin reconciling this rising tension between personal privacy and medical progress.

In Privacy and Progress in Whole Genome Sequencing, we identify clear gaps in privacy protections. Our report finds, for instance, that no state or federal laws exist to address whole genome sequence data comprehensively, while specific laws designed to protect genetic information in general typically address where the data is collected and by whom – and may or may not offer protection as a result.

We need to develop and then enact a consistent floor of privacy protections covering whole genome sequence data and to prohibit unauthorized whole genome sequencing without the consent of the individual. Currently, the majority of the benefits from whole genome sequence research will accrue to society, while those sharing their data assume significant risks. It’s an unsustainable model, and a sizable roadblock in the path to medical advances, better health and potentially lower healthcare costs.

By creating a consensus on basic privacy protections and preventing unauthorized genetic testing, we can assure Americans of genetic confidentiality while encouraging our frontline warriors in the fight against disease.

Whole genome sequencing is a powerful new weapon in the arsenal of 21st century medicine. To make full use of it, we are going to have to figure out how to keep it safe.

EDGEDAVAO

VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 161 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2012

The unfulfilled dividends of peace ( 1st of two parts )

N

O SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS, ONLY FLIGHTS OF RHETORIC – Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) chairman Nur Misuari and his loyal followers just recently strongly voiced their disappointment over the Framework Agreement on the proposed Bangsamoro autonomous entity that would replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). They contend that the MNLF has not been fully informed and consulted during the new round of talks between the government (GRP) and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Six years ago while on an 18-hour pass to Davao City granted by the national government to attend the 10th anniversary of the 1996 peace agreement between the GRP and the MNLF, Misuari declared that ‘we cannot impose peace in Mindanao without consulting the people – Christians, Muslims and the Lumads. He urges the government then to fully implement the 1996 peace accord that was signed in Jakarta, Indonesia in September 2, 1996. He emphasized that since the peace deal involved two sides, the key to its effective implementation should be continuing consultation and dialogues between the government and the MNLF. Then came the elections on September 9, 1996 and Misuari took his oath as the first elected regional governor of ARMM. In his inaugural speech, he expressed support and loyalty to the government and leadership of then President Fidel Ramos. Misuari reiterated during the occasion that the ARMM under his leadership was a symbol of achieving peace for it is a fitting image of the historic peace pact. Immediately after the inauguration of the newly-installed ARMM administration under Misuari, the ‘peace dividends’ in the form of multi-billion development proj-

T

ects started to tickle in.

It is important to know how the ARMM administration evolved way back in Misuari’s time and if he still merits a place in the formation of a new Bangsamoro entity. Altogether a total of P2 billion investments were pledged during his inauguration. Among the major project mentioned was the establishment of a modern commercial complex in Cotabato City and the project costs about P1 billion, the biggest and to be undertaken by a consortium of Filipino and Korean investors. Other projects mentioned include the establishment of modern telecommunication facilities in Jolo and Tawi-Tawi, setting up of public calling centers and offices in Maguindanao and the two Lanao provinces in partnership with Piltel, Globe Telecom and the local telephone companies.

There was also a plan for the establishment of passenger and cargo shipping services between Indonesia and Mindanao. Other submitted project contracts are for poultry contract growing, pineapple farm and canning, construction of agro-industrial center in Maguindanao, joint reforestation program and other projects waiting in the list. The DBP and LBP at that time likewise pledged to provide loanable funds for other projects, thus the highly expected peace dividends are beginning to show, according to political analysts and thoughtful observers.

At the inauguration ceremonies, President Ramos, Misuari’s newly-found political benefactor regaled the huge crowd of eager spectators and participants, of what else – litany of pledges

and promises. For his part, Misuari expressed thanks to the Mr. Ramos and his administration for what he termed as mustering the great wisdom in deciding to restore peace to the Moro homeland.

Despite all the rhetoric and lofty promises, Ramos and Misuari are both aware of the tortuous road towards achieving peace in Muslim Mindanao. And do you know the reason why? Simply because the toughest test will depend upon on how Misuari and the MNLF will perform during their stewardship of ARMM. More than a year after the loudly-heralded peace pact and under the leadership of Misuari, the ARMM and the rest of Muslim Mindanao still await the ‘peace dividends’ promised by Misuari and the Ramos leadership. Many of Misuari’s constituents are tired and irritated seeing newspaper photos and TV and radio interviews of him apparently living it up in hotel comfort and amenities or knowing of his frequent travel elsewhere in the country and abroad with a sizable entourage in tow.

The disgusted people want to know when Misuari would deliver on those campaign pledges and promises. Although it is unreasonable to expect him to successfully morph from a guerilla leader to governor in a year’s time, they want immediate and tangible action. His own people are even complaining then.

Overseers of his foreign affairs noted that there is widespread dissatisfaction with what had happened and is happening to the leaders of the movement and ARMM. The feel they should see something besides Misuari’s photos in five-star hotel suites and constant local and foreign travels. They want schools, bridges, roads, medical centers, job opportunities and other prospects that would elevate their standard way of living.

COmmentary

together by a common language and culture.

The best way for them to meet the challenge of Western dominance was to strengthen their common identity and apply to the Arab world those practices that had made the West successful. They could be liberal democrats, socialists, communists or Baathist – but they all were Arab nationalists. And they were secular.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Arab nationalists achieved power in Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Tunisia, Algeria and Yemen, and exerted great influence elsewhere. By the mid-1960s, a majority of Middle Easterners answered the question: “Who are you?” with: “I am an Arab.”

Not everyone, however, accepted this Arab nationalist approach. Some asserted the best path was not mimicking the West, but rather being true to their Islamic values. Arab fortunes had waned, these critics argued, not because they were not enough like the West, but because they had lost sight of their own values. This view was held by only a minority – but always had a significant following.

Following the Arab nationalist armies’ humiliating defeat by Israel in 1967, public opinion began to move more strongly against the Arab nationalist movements. Their approach and philosophy lost appeal. Despotic and sclerotic governments further discredited the cause.

Today the overwhelming majority say: “I am a Muslim.” In no country in the region does a majority respond by saying: “I am an Arab.”

In Lebanon and Egypt many believe they are, first and foremost, Lebanese and Egyptians. Therefore, in Egypt, and to a lesser degree Lebanon, stronger national identity tempers an increasing tendency to identify as Muslim.

The key to understanding the ‘Arab Spring’

HE United States has been unable to develop a clear national policy about the Arab Spring largely because Washington does not fully understand what’s happening in the Middle East.

The term, “Arab Spring” is itself misleading.

The changes over the past 20 months have produced a fundamental transformation of the region – but not in the way most outside observers anticipated: They reflect the replacement of the dominant Arab national identity by a more Islamic identity.

This change has been evolving for more than 40 years and did not begin in January 2011 with the demonstrations across the Middle East.

The Middle East today is less Arab and more Muslim. It was clear from the start of last year’s protests that the successor governments would be less Arab nationalist and secular, and more Islamic.

The widespread use of “Arab Spring” helped conceal this reality. The term brought to mind the changes that had swept through Eastern Europe with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Numerous, but inaccurate, parallels were drawn between the Eastern Bloc and the Middle East.

These false premises were reinforced by the tens if not hundreds of thousands bright, young, articulate, Western-oriented, media-savvy demonstrators who rose against Arab nationalist governments. Despite the attention given to them, these youthful demonstrators never represented more than a small minority of the population.

The fabric of Middle Eastern society has fundamentally changed. Being Muslim has replaced being Arab as the primary identifying factor. The consequences are profound.

By GrAeme BAnnermAn Minorities, which had prospered by emphasizing their common Arab identity, now face a very worrisome future. Schismatic Muslim sects – Shia, Druze, Alawites and others – are unlikely to fare well under Sunni Muslim-dominated governments. Secularists are also likely to suffer.

Understanding the dogged determination of the supporters of the Assad government in Syria, for example, is impossible unless you factor in the fear that minorities and secularists have of a Sunni Muslim government.

The Iraq experience reinforces these minority fears. If one asks Christians, Turkomen or other minorities whether they are better off today or under Saddam Hussein’s despotic regime, many may say that as awful as Hussein was, minorities were better off before.

For example, the Christian population of Iraq today is less than half of what it was when the U.S. invaded. Many prosperous Christian Iraqis fled the nation during the years of brutal Arab sectarian violence.

This shift from strong Arab nationalism to a powerful Islamic identity has evolved over the last half-century.

In the 1950s, Arab nationalism emerged as the dominant political philosophy. Arab nationalist governments replaced regimes established by the withdrawing European colonial governments. Arabs sought to address the question of who they were and how they should engage with the West.

Arab nationalists answered these questions by asserting that Arabs were bound

9

EBay’s buyer’s remorse OpiniOn

By John C ABell

H

( 1st of two parts )

OW do you know if you’re in a buyer’s market, or a seller’s?

Offline it’s pretty easy to know.

There’s price pressure, abundance and not too many people vying for the same house, commodity or mint condition PeeWee Herman doll at the yard sale. In the land of the real, markets aren’t terribly efficient. Before the Internet changed everything, retailers were bound by geography and the ability (and willingness) of people to range. That’s why gas costs a lot more right off the highway exit than it does less than a mile down, where strangers would rather not venture. (Now, of course, there’s an app for that.)

Online, it’s easier to know where the consumer stands. In fact, online, it’s always a buyer’s market. There are, of course, always fixed costs that help determine an item’s price – a book publisher’s monopoly or the cost of jet fuel, say. But a buyer’s power to compare prices from a comfy chair has made it difficult for online sellers to gouge – to insist on a higher price than the market bears – because the market is transparent, fluid and infinite in all directions. Services like Kayak create an almost perfect buyer’s market for air travel, which was already one of the world’s most competitive businesses.

Amazon’s ability to offer nearly everything at buyer’s market prices has created a retailing behemoth that doesn’t even need an Apple-like seller’s market to thrive.

And then there’s eBay, an Amazon contemporary with an identity that’s been in crisis for years.

At a press conference this week, eBay – when it wasn’t gushing over the potential of a growing mobile market (the company expects $10 billion in mobile sales annually) – was hyping a site redesign and an enhanced focus on personalization and recommendation. What was once an auction site is now a retail site.

EBay’s latest maneuver is a fresh attempt to shake off its proud roots as a destination where every person could buy and sell quirky collectibles and used clothing. It’s morphing into a more mainstream retailer whose suppliers don’t primarily consist of one-timers emptying their garages and bottom-fishers tolling virtual yard sales.

EBay is channeling a little bit of Etsy and a lot of Amazon. But the question is, in a buyer’s market – and it’s always a buyer’s market in the online world – does the site you’re buying from even matter?

To a consumer, what’s the difference between a Kayak and an Orbitz, a Priceline and a Hotwire, an Amazon and an eBay? Everything is going mobile, and as the screens shrink, the market expands.

Buyers don’t care who sells them what, just how well. It’s not Macy’s versus Gimbels anymore. It is products – mostly commoditized now – that consume online consumers, not pretty shelves. It’s about spontaneous, one-click, impulse buys in those idle-time moments waiting for your friend to show up that you once used to stare at your shoes.

This isn’t about discovery or engagement – or even selling. Instant gratification breeds its own buying dynamic.

Before I became an Amazon Prime subscriber I bought something from Amazon now and then. But after I subscribed to Prime, because shipping was usually free and fast, I bought a lot, from them, in part to protect my $79-a-year investment and in part because the friction of each purchase had been sanded down. With one click, a new item practically slipped into my mailbox. Prime also cultivates a sense of membership, which is nothing but good for any retailer.

10 NATION/WORLD NATION BRIEFS

B

Increase

ARELY a month after his appointment, Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas is already asking for an increase in the budget for Department of Interior and Local and Government (DILG).

In a budget committee hearing on Monday, Roxas told senators not to expect “substantial changes” in the DILG considering the decrease in the P91-billion proposed budget for the department next year.

P

Transition

RESIDENT Aquino will soon issue an executive order appointing the 15 members of a Transition Commission after the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) sign today at Malacañang the framework agreement outlining the roadmap for peace.

The 15-member commission, composed of eight representatives from the Muslim side and seven from the government, will draft a bill that will be sent to Congress to establish a Bangsamoro region in Mindanao.

Willing

S

ENATOR Ralph Recto is willing to give his Senate committee post to any takers. Recto signaled his intentions to step down as Senate Committee on Ways and Means chairman in an attempt to shield his family from “hurtful” criticisms thrown at him over his version of the sin tax bill.

“I am willing to give it up anytime if there are any takers,” Recto said in a phone interview with reporters.

Investment

M

ALAYSIAN Prime Minister Najib Razak pledged Monday to support economic development in the conflict-wracked and impoverished southern Philippines after helping to broker a peace plan with Muslim rebels.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino met Najib for one-on-one talks ahead of the planned signing of the peace roadmap with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) in Manila, a joint statement said after their meeting.

A

VOL.5 ISSUE 161 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2012

PHL signs deal with MILF T

HE Philippine government and the country’s largest Muslim rebel group signed a peace deal on Monday that serves as a roadmap to forming a new autonomous region in the south, a step towards ending more than 40 years of conflict.

President Benigno Aquino and Ebrahim Murad, head of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), held one-on-one talks before the signing of the landmark framework agreement. Before the meeting, Murad, a firsttime visitor to the presidential palace in Manila, handed Aquino a miniature gong, which he ritually sounded.

“This is the sound of peace,” Murad told Aquino.

It was Murad and Aquino’s second meeting since early August 2011 when they held secret talks in Tokyo, a major turning point in the violence-interrupted peace negotiations that have lasted nearly 15 years.

Malaysian Prime Min-

HISTORIC. Philippine President Benigno Aquino (R) receives a gong from Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Al Haj Murad (C) and MILF Peace Panel Chief Mohagher Iqbal be-

fore the historic signing of the framework agreement between the Philippine government and the MILF in the Malacanan Palace in Manila, October 15, 2012. [REutERs]

ister Najib Razak, whose government has facilitated the start-stop negotiations since March 2001, was present at the signing along with foreign dignitaries and international aid agencies that helped in the peace process.

“Much work remains to be done in order to fully reap the fruits of this framework agreement.

We have commitments to fulfill, people to lead, and dreams to achieve,” Aquino said before the signing ceremony at the Malacanang palace.

“We are committed to enabling our partners to transform themselves to a genuine political party that can help facilitate the region’s transition towards a truly peaceful

and progressive place,” he said.

Aquino is expected to issue an executive order shortly to form a 15-member transition commission that will formulate new legislation by 2015 to create a new Muslim local government for the “Bangsamoro”, the name given by the Moro tribes for their homeland.

ert in the US state of New Mexico, said Red Bull Stratos mission record keeper Brian Utley.

Mission control erupted in cheers as Baumgartner sprung from the capsule hoisted aloft by a giant helium-filled balloon to an altitude of 128,097 feet (39,044 meters), even higher than expected.

“I think 20 tons have fallen from my shoulders.

I prepared for this for seven years,” he told German-language ServusTV in Austria in his first interview after the leap.

Referring to a helmet problem that nearly forced him to abort at the last minute, Baumgartner said: “Even on a day like

this when you start so well, then there’s a little glitch. But I finally decided to jump.

“It was the right decision,” added the Austrian, who broke three records: the highest freefall jump, the fastest freefall speed and the highest balloon flight by a human. He failed to make the longest freefall jump.

Shortly before leaping, in footage beamed live around the world on a crackly radio link recalling Neil Armstrong’s first words on the Moon, he had said: “Sometimes you have (to go) up really high to (understand) how small you are.”

After a perfect start, anxious viewers around

the world looked on in agony as the Austrian started tumbling chaotically for what seemed like an eternity before finally achieving the correct position.

“The exit was perfect, then I started tumbling -I thought I’d get it under control, but then it really started. I really picked up speed, it got very violent. I thought for a few seconds I’ll fall unconscious.”

“Thank goodness, I managed to stop -- it was very difficult. It was much more difficult than many of us expected.”

Baumgartner said he wasn’t even aware of breaking the sound barrier.

“I didn’t feel the sonic boom, I think it happens behind you,” he said.

The Austrian took more than two hours to get up to the jump altitude. Baumgartner had already broken one record before he even leapt: the previous highest altitude for a manned balloon flight was 113,740 feet, set in 1961.

He had been due to jump from 120,000 feet, but the balloon went higher than expected.

One of the first people to congratulate him was Austrian President Heinz Fischer, who hailed the “great success.”

WORLD TODAY

D

A

USTRIAN daredevil Felix Baumgartner celebrated his unprecedented feat Monday after becoming the first man to break the sound barrier in a record-shattering, death-defying freefall jump from the edge of space.

The 43-year-old leapt from a capsule more than 24 miles (39 kilometers) above the Earth Sunday, reaching a top speed of 833.9 miles (1,342 kilometers) per hour, or 1.24 times the speed of sound, according to organizers.

The veteran skydiver was in freefall for four minutes and 20 seconds before opening his red and white parachute and floating down to the des-

Pilot Felix Baumgartner of Austria exits his capsule as he begins his record-setting skydive over Roswell, New Mexico October 14, 2012 in this frame capture from

handout video. Baumgartner broke a 52-year-old record by skydiving from 23 miles (37 km). [REutERs]

Face-off

EMOCRAT Barack Obama and his Republican challenger Mitt Romney may be neck and neck in the polls as the November 6 election draws close, but on social networks, the US president is the clear winner.

At Facebook, more than 30.8 million people “like” Barack Obama’s page, while more than 9.3 million are fans of Mitt Romney. “If you’re on Team Obama, let him know,” says one post on the president’s page shared more than 159,000 times.

C

Died

AMBODIA’S revered and charismatic former king Norodom Sihanouk, whose life encompassed turbulent years of rule, exile and war including the Khmer Rouge reign of terror, died Monday in Beijing aged 89.

Sihanouk, who had been a frequent visitor to China where he received most of his medical treatment, died of a heart attack, according to his longtime personal assistant Prince Sisowath Thomico.

Austrian breaks sound L barrier in space jump

Blocked

court has blocked the export of 25 captive dolphins trained in the Philippines to become show animals at a Singapore casino, a Filipino official and animal rights groups said Saturday.

A civil suit filed by the rights groups alleged the traffic in live Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins for sport or entertainment was illegal, cruel and would cause the extinction of the species.

EDGEDAVAO

Populist

ITHUANIA’S leftwing and populist opposition parties Monday moved swiftly to form a new government after austerity-weary voters evicted the Baltic state’s Conservative-led coalition in a general election.

As the results of Sunday’s parliamentary polls rolled in, the leaders of Labour, the Social Democrats and Order and Justice parties held a closeddoor meeting in a Vilnius hotel.

U

Ceasefire

N envoy Lakhdar Brahimi called Monday for a ceasefire in Syria during the upcoming four-day Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha, as the revolt entered its 20th month with a death toll of more than 33,000.

Brahimi made his call as he shuttled between Syria’s neighbours, which have been bitterly divided by the conflict along the confessional lines that have traditionally riven the Islamic world.

T

Killed

WO people were killed Monday as police arrested the leader of the separatist Mombasa Republican Council, a group seeking to split the popular tourist coast from the rest of Kenya, police said.

“Two people whom we suspect are MRC members were killed during the raid and 12 others arrested,” regional police chief Aggrey Adoli said, adding that the group’s leader Omar Mwamnuadzi was in custody.

11

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 161 •TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2012

DavSur..

2 Edgar..

FFROM 1

Aside from Claude, his younger brother, former Gov. Benjamin Jr. is also running for re-election as Malita municipal mayor, while older brother Franklin is likewise seeking a third term in the House of Representatives. He is being challenged by lawyer Randolph Parcasio, former chairman of the deactivated Southern Philippines Development Administration (SPDA) and onetime legal consultant of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) of Dr. Nuraladji “Nur” Misuari.

Lawyer Casquejo recalled that in the 2010 elections, Davao City was the other local jurisdiction of Davao Region declared by Comelec as an area of concern or under Comelec control as requested by then Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte following “capable plotting controversy against him re-

Veterans...

portedly from the camp of Nograles and allies, Alliance for National Democracy (ANAD) leader Jun Alcover and Bantay partylist leader Jovito Palparan.”

Duterte was quoted in a news report then saying that “the moment he heard from the intelligence community that Palparan and Alcover are staying in the city,” he was prompted to request that the city be placed under the control of Comelec.

At the time, Palparan was a candidate for senator, but was reportedly always in Davao City with Alcover, also campaigning for ANAD partylist, delivering speeches against Duterte and his partymates and in favor of Nograles and other members of the socalled Team Nograles.

However, Casquejo dismissed the possibility of

proclaiming Davao City and other areas in Region as hot spot or under Comelec control, considering that in the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley and the capital cities and towns therein, most of the incumbent officials are unopposed.

Casquejo also urged Dabawenyos who want to disqualify nuisance candidates to file formal complaints before the Comelec so that nuisance candidates can be weeded out of the officials list of candidates.

He also bared that the ban on appointment of new government officials and workers, public works, transfers, carrying of firearms or gun ban, and other electoral prohibitions will mostly take effect in January.

branches in the island.

Vicente T. Lao, chair of the Mindanao Business Council, told newsmen earlier that opening up of new bank branches in Mindanao offers more opportunities especially for the business sector to access funds.

Accessing funds, Lao explained, has become among the biggest obstacles in the growth of local businesses because banks and other financial institutions have imposed stringent measures on loan accessibility.

A few years ago, the national government, through the Department of Trade

and Industry, implemented the SME Unified Lending Opportunities for National Growth in its desire to address the clamor of small and medium enterprises that they be provided with better systems so they can access funds for their expansion.

However, even with the implementation of the program, which was supposed to compel financial institutions to have a singular system in their loans procedures, these institutions have continued to impose their respective stringent regulations.

refined, comfortable ride. Larger road imperfections such as potholes still make their way into the cabin, but it manages to soak things like concrete joints much better than any other pick-up.

On twisty stretches of road, the Ranger feels planted and secure making this a great vehicle even for longer, out-oftown trips. The steering requires much more turns from lock-to-lock increasing the Ranger’s turning circle, but once you’re used to it, even parking this 5.3-meter long car is easy because of excellent visibility and large mirrors.

Aside from its remarkably smooth engine and surprisingly comfortable ride, the Ranger is designed to stand up to the toughest challenges, be it carrying, fording, or climbing. Though no part during the test did the Ranger need it, it’s good to know that the water-wading depth is

at 800 millimeters (fully laden) with no adverse effect to the drivetrain system. There’s no need to drive the Ranger to a dealership for “checkups” each time you pass through a river or Araneta Avenue for that matter.

The ground clearance stands at 237 millimeters and the payload capacity is more than 1,400 kilograms.

The all-new Ford Ranger is perfect as far as pick-up trucks go.

There are still some truck-like characteristics here and there, but it’s largely been reduced to the barest minimum.

From inside out, the Ranger marries the best qualities of a class-leading pick-up truck with car-like refinement and cutting-edge technology.

Clearly, this is the pinnacle of Ford’s expertise in the pick-up truck genre.

It’s designed, engineered, and produced to lead the pack. And it has done so by leaps and bounds.

FFROM 2

nas. As you know, we are very regulated (industry),” he said during his visit to Davao City last week.

Villareal said the bank, whose main stockholders are veteran soldiers and their families, has still continued to hit growth although the big chunk of the growth still comes from Metro Manila, being the center of trade.

The bank will continue to innovate in its products as part of its desire for growth, he said.

The Mindanao business sector has welcomed the setting up of new bank

Car...

FFROM 7

matic is specifically designed to reduce engine revs and extending the Ranger’s driving range.

It’s fitted with an 80-liter fuel tank which should theoretically space out fill-ups to about 1,000 kilometers. This is well and good if the Ranger is used primarily for highway duty (it even has cruise control), but for city dwellers, the 2.2-liter six-speed automatic does 8.19 km/l—excellent figures in their own right, but fill-ups are spaced at just 655 kilometers—well short of the mystical figures Ford is espousing.

Nonetheless, when’s the last time you had a car that goes 600 plus kilometers between fill-ups?

The suspension system of the Ranger is far from revolutionary given it’s the traditional Double Wishbone/Leaf Spring layout very common with pick-ups. But thanks to the longer wheelbase and excellent tuning, the Ranger exhibits a very

FFROM 1

are running for councilor in the third district. Victorio U. Advincula Jr. ran and won in 2010 as his father, Victorio S. Advincula Sr., was barred from running again after exhausting his three consecutive three-year terms then.

Now that he is qualified to run again, the elder Victorio Advincula filed a certificate of candidacy (COC) as an independent against the not so muted objection of Junior who is running for reelection under the Hugpong sa Tawong Lungsod.

Big...

Niece vs uncle As it is, there are also two Councilor Bonguyans (Louie John, the twice topnotcher in the second district and Joanne, in the first district), first cousins who are both running for reelection. Louie John is the son of former vice mayor Luis, while Joanne is Luis’s niece, who told the media she is campaigning for re-electionist Rep. Karlo Alexi B, Nograles, not for his uncle who has been fielded

by Hugpong to challenge Nograles as first district con-

gressman.

Two Vergaras The possibility of two Ibuyans, two Bonguyans and two Advinculas are nothing unusual as far as the history of the Davao City Council is concerned. It has happened once before in the cases of the Vergara brothers –Antonio who won three times as councilor in the first district and older brother, the late Alfredo or Fred who became councilor in the second district for two terms.

Really, as they say, what else is new? (ASA)

implemented in such a way that the decades old armed conflict is put to an end.

The signing of the framework is the second for the Philippne government in 16 years as the government, under then President Fidel V. Ramos, also signed a peace agree-

ment with the Nur Misuari-led Moro National Liberation Front on September 2, 1996.

The peace agreement that it signed with the group of Misuari is among the issues that have to be discussed in relation to the latest framework.

reads.

Meanwhile, local business leaders here hailed the Framework Agreement, calling it a breakthrough in the peace process and giving hope for the peaceful closure of the protracted conflict in the island.

“We welcome this development with optimism that finally Mindanao will be able to realize its vast development potentials and make this island truly a haven for flourishing businesses,” Cagayan de Oro Chamber of Industries (COCI) president Jerome Soldevilla said in a phone interview.

In a phone interview, local industrialist Elmer Francisco said that “every step towards peace is

always good not only for business but for our country as a whole.”

“But that agreement must be inclusive and binding for both MILF and MNLF (Moro National Liberation Front), including all other [Moro] factions.

Otherwise, we would just have a similar situation only that MILF is the one with the government and the other side would be the Maoist rebels,” he said.

“I still believe that a big step is necessary in order to achieve a revolutionary development in our country which is to change our current centralized form of government into a federal system through charter change,” added Francisco.

[Cong B. Corrales / MindaNews]

nation of peace lovers,” said del Rosario, also the concurrent chair of the region-based Davao Integrated Development Program (DIDP) and the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) 11 pointing out that the “optimism of the framework will become the model of Mindanao’s future.”

He said the framework “reflects the commitment of every Filipino to build a harmonious,

stable and progressive nation.”

“For the agreement to prosper, all of us must resolve to contribute to its success,” he said.

Earlier, both the business and the political sectors in the region have expressed their support to the framework which will initially lead to the creation of a body that will gradually replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.”

FFROM 2

Both business leaders said the framework will lead to the coming into Mindanao more investments.

Bian, however, said there is still a need for both government and the rebel movement to discuss how issues related to the peace process be

Mindanao...

FFROM 2

“It is a good start for further detailed discussion for peace in Mindanao,” Cabantan said in a text message Monday.

The Mindanao Prelates offer the six values that constitutes the people’s platform for peace in the island from Muslim, Lumad, Catholic and Protestant participants in the consultations of its peace initiative dubbed Konsult Mindanao.

“A formal peace agreement is not the end of peace-building; rather it is just the beginning of much hard work in concretizing the meaning of Sincerity, Security, Sensitivity, Solidarity, Spirituality, and Sustainability in our various communities in Mindanao,” the same statement

Advocacy...

FFROM 2

Political leaders in the Davao Region have also continued expressing their support to the move to implement the peace framework.

In a text message, Davao del Norte Gov. Rodolfo P. del Rosario said the framework must become the positive step towards attaining lasting peace in Mindanao.

“We must set aside animosity and mistrust and come together as a

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14 SPORTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 161 • TUESDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2012

EDGEDAVAO

AAK Davao stamps class

By Neil Bravo

T

HE Association for the Advancement of Karatedo-Davao City squad showed awesome dominance transforming the PSCCherifer Interschool Karate Tournament at The Annex of SM City Davao over the weekend.

The AAK-Davao team filled their medal loot with 15 golds, 13 silvers and a dozen more bronze medals to emerge as the overall champion in the day-long meet which attracted the region’s best karatedo practitioners.

AAK Davao branch manager Rommel Tan was grinning from ear to ear at the sight of his students making mincemeat of the opposition.

“It’s very heartwarming watching

JP Ponce of Precious International School of Davao won the gold in the 8-9 years old Boys Kata Blue Belt and another bronze in the Kumite 8-9 years old in in the recent PSC-Cherifer Inter-school Karatedo tournament at SM City Davao.

these kids play at this intense level,” said Tan who has nurtured the best karatedo potentials this part of the country.

The AAK Davao team is composed of UIC, Davao Christian High School, Davao Central High School, Precious International School Of Davao, Tecarro, Thompson Christian School, Stella Maris Academy Of Davao, Brokenshire Science High School and DCNHS. The Davao bets won the overall team standings in kata and kumite followed by Bukidnon with 7 gold, 5 silver and 4 bronze medals, and Comatcom composed of (Tagum, Davao, and Toril) with 4 gold, 4 silver and 11 bronze medals. Mati

Shutokai team finished fourth with 2 golds, 3silvers and 5 bronze medals, followed by Mindanao Polytechnic College of Gen. Santos City with 2 silvers and 2 bronze medals and Notre Dame of Dadiangas with 1 silver and 2 bronze medals.

The championship was graced by James Infiesto of the City Government’s sports division, PSC representative Alona Quintos and Stefanie Cris Perez of Cherifer which also distributed vitamins for the kids in the championships.

AAK-UIC topped the school category with 5gold,4silver and 4 bonze medals, followed

by Davao Christian High School with 2 golds, 3

silvers and 5 bronze medals and Stella Maris Academy of Davao with 2 gold medals. A total of 18 schools participated bringing the total to a record 95 entries.

The event was sponsored by Cherifer, Philippine Sports Commision, SM City of Davao, Tomas Electrical Supply Inc., Charlie and Gloria Estarija, TKSPetron, Engr. Mike and Esther Te, Benjade Construction, Beefit Gym, Engr. Celso Manaois, Marites Bagay, Everest Drugs-Toril, Ricks Carwash, Zimmons Industries, Engr. Noel Bacalla, LPIC, LCI Inc., Mr. Edgar Ponce, Mr. Benjie Lim and Davao United Educational Supplies Inc. (NEIL BRAVO)

2nd Dacudao Cup netfest Oct. 27-30

T

HE region’s best age group netters take centerstage in the mid-season 2nd Dr. Elias Dacudao Cup set October 27-30 at the Eco 2 Tennis Center.

Philta-XI B Regional Vice President Engr.

Carol Angel announced the staging of the tournament which is classified as Group 2 Philta event.

The tournament is open to age group players in the Boys and Girls 18, 16, 14, 12 and 10 Unisex categories.

Registration fee is pegged at P300 only. Interested players may sign up with Philta through Engr.

Angel at 09228491028 or email entries to angelcarolreal@yahoo. com. Alex Bernan will be the tournament director of the four-day netfest.

Deadline for registration is on October 26 at 12 noon.

The tournament is held in honor of Dr. Elias Dacudao, who is considered the Father of Davao Tennis.

“His family now is

actively supporting tennis in the Region and has designed a program to develop promising young players.

This tournament is one venue to discover such talents,” Angel told EDGE Davao.

“Likewise, our very special guest for this occasion is former Davies Cup player, Mr. Raymond Suarez so we hope the clubs and associations can send their kids to participate and for adult tennis players to come and watch the kids play,” Angel added. (NEIL BRAVO)

Carmela Marie Estarija of Stella Maris Academy won the gold in the Kata and Kumite Girls Cadets (14-15) in the recent PSC-Cherifer Inter-school Karatedo tournament.

Ateneo hopes MVP changes heart

Big fights await Donaire T

L

OS ANGELES – After his big win on Sunday against Japanese Toshiaki Nishioka, Filipino champion Nonito Donaire is now being lined up for the big fights and it begins with a possible fight with the great Mexican hombre Jorge Arce.

That fight could come in December.

Donaire defended his world super bantamweight titles by stopping Nishioka in the ninth round Saturday, handing the Japanese boxer his first defeat in eight years.

The 29-year-old Donaire knocked Nishioka down for the second time in the fight at 1:54 of the ninth round. Nishioka got up but his corner stepped in to stop the fight.

With the stoppage Donaire (30-1, 19 KOs) retained his WBO and IBF super bantamweight titles

Nonito Donaire connects against Toshiaki Nishioka. and extended his own win the sixth round after being streak to 29 contests. hit with two successive “When you engage you left hands inside. open up,” Donaire said.

Donaire dominated “I can pick him apart and the fight, keeping Nishiothen the demolition man ka at a distance with left comes in to knock him jabs and right hands to the out.” body.

The fight ended when “We wanted to use my Nishioka (39-5-3, 24 KOs) jab and use my speed,” walked into a straight Donaire said. “I wanted right hand from Donaire to open him up by timing at the Home Depot Center that jab and that’s exactstadium in Los Angles. ly what happened for me Nishioka also went to be able to land that down with a minute left in straight punch.”

OP sports patron Manuel V. Pangilinan may have expressed his desire for a “complete and total disengagement from the Ateneo,” but university president Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ is still hopeful that the business mogul would have a change of heart when it comes to supporting the Blue Eagles basketball program.

In his homily at the university’s thanksgiving mass, Villarin called Pangilinan’s contribution “instrumental” for the basketball team winning five straight UAAP titles, before asking the community to give the businessman a round of applause.

With Pangilinan bankrolling the team, the Blue Eagles turned from perennial cellar-dwellars into the most dominant team in college basketball. Ateneo has won six UAAP titles in the last 11 years.

But with his announcement of his depar-

ture from the university, alumni have expressed concern about the team going back to the dark ages.

Villarin, however, is hopeful that Ateneo and Pangilinan could still patch things up, believing that the telecommunications magnate hasn’t completely shut the door.

Prior to Ateneo’s title victory, Pangilinan spoke at the anniversary celebration for the University of the Philippines Alpha Sigma fraternity, where he made light-hearted fun of the Fighting Maroons moribund basketball program. Some have taken that as a hint that Pangilinan would turn his support to UP instead of Ateneo.

But Villarin said that does not preclude the possibility of Pangilinan returning to the Ateneo fold.

“His support of UP is not either-or,” says Villarin.

Coaching questions With Pangilinan cut-

ting ties with Ateneo, the Blue Eagles’ coaching future remains in limbo.

Norman Black, who piloted the team to five straight titles, has left the program to coach Pangilinan’s Talk ‘N Text squad in the PBA. Bo Perasol, Black’s supposed successor after signing a three-year deal with the university, said that he’s not sure whether he would end up coaching the Blue Eagles. Pangilinan’s group hire the former Powerade Tigers coach to helm Ateneo.

Villarin said he would be meeting with Perasol on Monday to discuss the situation.

Should talks with Perasol break down, university athletic director Ricky Palou said that Black’s assistant coaches, Jamike Jarin and Sandy Arespacochaga, could also be tapped to coach the Blue Eagles.

Curiously, both men are also part of Black’s staff as assistant coaches at Talk ‘N Text.

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TRAVEL

A sojourn at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila The Metropolitan Museum of Manila.

A lot of people travel to shop, some to eat, while others do it for business. It is not so often that people travel for culture and the arts but maybe all this will change soon just like a weekend me and my friends had.

Portrait of Ma. Lourdes Araneta Fores, Claudio Bravo, 1968. Image courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of the Manila.

It was totally unplanned as we really had no idea aside from the fact that all we wanted was some R and R. It was Otoy who

Luis Araneta, Claudio Bravo, 1968. Image courtesy Portrait of Regina Dee, Claudio Bravo, 1968. Image of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila. courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila

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UP AnD ABOUT

Win an Audi and a Yamaha Mio Fino Motorcyle at SM Davao’s 3 Day Sale!

On October 19-21, all roads lead to SM City Davao as this season’s grandest 3 Day Sale event happens at the hippest hub. Avail of up to 70% discount on great selections mall-wide and get a chance to drive home a brand new Audi from the SM Department Store or a Yamaha MIO Fino motorcycle at the mall-wide raffle!

SM Advantage, Prestige and BDO Rewards card holders may also avail of additional discounts when using their cards at SM Department Store, ACE Hardware, Surplus and Levi’s during the much anticipated SMAC Sale 2 Hour Special happening 10AM-12nn on Friday.

Plus, catch the 143 cuties live on October 19 and the cast of GMA’s Coffee Prince on October 20. Breeze through Sunday shopping with the hip and funky music from Davao’s top bands at the Annex!

SM Davao 3 Day Sale runs October 19-21 with extended mall hours up to 10PM and 12 Mn on Saturday.

For inquiries, call 297-6998 local 126. Like SM City Davao on Facebook or follow @smcitydavao on Twitter for event and promo updates.

‘Fashion Concert For A Cause’ on Nov 24 at CAP Auditorium MC BERT Marketing In cooperation with MDCL Fashion Channel will hold it’s first “Fashion Concert For A Cause” on november 24, 2012, 7pm at the CAP Auditorium, Anda st., Davao City. Featuring the collections of Ms. Mercedita Lim with guest artists Mr. John Medina – playing the role of James Ocampo in the teleserye “Walang Hanggan”, Ms. Jennifer Lee of the Viva Hot Babes, Krissel Joy Valdez, Star Power 1st Runner Up and Davao’s Top Models

Celebri-trees at Trust Home Depot

TRusT Home Depot, the onestop home & lifestyle store, spreads Christmas cheers with “Celebri-trees”.

“Celebri-trees” are specially decorated Christmas trees by four of Davao’s respected personalities in their fields of expertise— Otoy Mercado, make-up artist; Adeline Infante, interior designer; Erwin Tan, fashion designer; and, event stylist, Annie Lim— using the inexpensive holiday decors of Trust Home Depot.

Each talented artist showcases their individual talents in decorating their Christmas trees. “It’s pretty much how we decorate my own Christmas trees at home,” said the Davao personalities.

“The trick is to make it your own,” said Interior Designer Adeline Infante, “put your personality forward when you’re deco-

AnnieLim’s Toyland

AdelineInfante’sArtistTree

rating. In my case, I used paint brushes and added it to my traditional decors.”

Event stylist Annie Lim agrees. “I create themed events and the decors are

The part of the proceeds of the show will be donated to the less fortunate children of the 1st district of the CSSDO of Davao and Philippine Red Cross. Ticket prices are at P1,500, P1,000, P300 and P200.

MerceditaLimandthemodels.

Erwin Tan’s ‘Silver’

OtoiMercado’sYuletideGlimmer

the best way to convey the message. since Christmas is for the young – and the young at hear— I integrated toys into my decoration to make it livelier.”

For Makeup Artist Otoy Mercado, Christmas decorations are like jewelry. ”I love collecting unique pieces and I add a new decor every year but make sure it’s in the colors that match with the rest of my collection. Throughout the years, I have accumulated conversation pieces to adorn my tree. I suggest everyone do the same.”

“I love the shade of white and the glimmer I can add to it,” shared Fashion Designer Erwin Tan. ”I specialize in wedding dresses and I treated this Christmas tree like one of my beaming brides.”

“Celebri-trees” is Trust Home Depots way of sharing decorating tips for the holiday season.

View the Christmas trees and shop the components at Trust Home Depot, Ecoland Drive, Quimpo Boulevard, Matina (formerly Task Force Davao). Telephone numbers 298-7878 and 2953588. Trust Home Depot is on Facebook, “Like” the page to receive updates.

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EnTERTAInMEnT

Million Muppet March planned to defend PBS and Sesame Street SESAME STREET fans are gearing up for a political fight.

Following Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s pledge to cut the federal government’s subsidy to PBS ( the home of Sesame Street), fans of the show are planning a “Million Muppet March” in response.

“I’m sorry Jim. I’m gonna stop the subsidy to PBS,” Romney told moderator Jim Lehrer during the Oct. 3 presidential debate. “I like PBS, I love Big Bird, I actually like you too, but I am not going to keep spending money on things to borrow money from China to pay for.”

The puppet protest, which is set to go down nov. 3 at the national Mall in Washington, D.C., is being held in an effort to save Big Bird and the rest of the gang from losing federal funding.

Animation executive Micheal Bellavia and university student Chris Mecham came up with the idea and planned the

event together after getting riled up by Romney’s now infamous comment.

“I figured, why just make it a virtual show of support,” Bellavia told Reuters. “Why not take this opportunity because it seemed like there was already some growing interest in it and actually make it an active, participatory event. I literally just said, ‘It’s happening.’”

“Romney was using Muppets as a rhetorical device to get rid of public

broadcasting, which is really so much bigger than Sesame Street,” Mecham added. “While he was still talking, I was thinking of ways I could express my frustration at the argument. Before the debates were over, I had already put up the Million Muppet March Facebook page.”

The duo said the march will be a “lovefest” that will include musical performances and skits. (E! Online)

Lindsay Lohan to sit down with Barbara Walters Wondering what’s been going on with Lindsay Lohan lately? You might get some answers soon.

E! news confirms that the troubled star will be having a special sit-down interview with the one and only Barbara Walters.

And you know you can always count on Barbara to get down to the nittygritty.

Sources tell E! news that Walters went to the set of Liz & Dick during production, where Lindsay showed her some behind-the-scenes action and participated in some interviews.

So in a couple of weeks, this material, plus a new, no-holds-barred interview that Lindsay will do with Barbara, is expected to be combined into a primetime special that will air sometime prior to the premiere of the Lifetime movie (which airs nov. 25).

LiLo agreed to the interview as she greatly admires Walters and knows

that the interview will be done with respect, a source told E! news.

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TRAVEL EnTERTAInMEnT

Claudio Bravo in Manila, 1968.

Photo courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila.

checked and found out that there is an exhibit of portraits of Manila’s social elite of the 1960’s all masterfully done by Chilean artist Claudio Bravo at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila.

The exhibit titled Claudio Bravo: A sojourn in Manila features works done by the artist during his brief stay in Manila in 1968. Bravo’s works on exhibit are some of the most beautiful and lifelike that I have seen. What was even more interesting was Bravo’s subject matter, Manila’s elite of his time and whose names still resonate in the present day (think Ayala, Lopez, Araneta, Cojuanco, Prieto and Marcos) and whose portraits are depicted in etherial and out of this world beauty and stunning details.

The Claudio Bravo: sojourn in Manila exhibit runs until October 20, so if ever you happen to drop by anytime soon, I suggest a quick detour from all that shopping and eating to experience the exhibit plus the many other permanent exhibits that are at the Met.

Imelda Romualdez Marcos, Claudio Bravo, 1968. Image courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila.

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Watson captures Japan Open crown

O

SAKA, Japan -Heather Watson became the first British woman in 24 years to win a WTA title by beating Chang Kai-chen of Taiwan on Sunday in the final of the Japan Open.

Watson outlasted Chang 7-5, 5-7, 7-6 (4)

in 3 hours, 11 minutes to end the long drought for her country - just three weeks after Laura Robson became the first British woman in 22 years to even reach a WTA final.

Both Watson and Chang were appearing in their first career fi-

nal and showed signs of nerves. Watson wasted a match point at 5-3 in the second set, then saved four when Chang led 5-4 in the third. The match featured 14 breaks of serve, including seven in the first set.

Watson’s victory

marked another milestone for British tennis, after Andy Murray finally broke a 76-year Grand Slam drought on the men’s side by winning the U.S. Open this year.

The last British woman to win a WTA title was Sara Gomer in 1988.

Etheridge stint for Azkals in peril

T

OP goalkeeper Neil Etheridge may not suit up for the Philippine national men’s team in the 2012 ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup in November after his loan to English fourth-division club Bristol Rovers has been extended.

According to a report

by BBC Radio Bristol, Rovers manager Mark Mcghee confirmed that Etheridge has agreed to play for their squad until Christmas.

Bristol have matches on November 24 and November 27, the same dates when the Azkals face Thailand and Vietnam in the group stages of the Suzuki Cup. The semifinals and finals of the tournament, which will run until December 22, are also in conflict with the schedule of the Rovers’ matches,

Philippine Azkals goalkeeper Neil Etheridge making Etheridge’s avail- to popularity. ability for the national Last September, Enteam during those dates glish Premier League side doubtful should the Azkals Fulham FC lent Etheridge advance to the next round. to Bristol on a one-month Then 20 years old, deal. Since the transfer, the Etheridge was a vital cog Rovers have performed in the Azkals’ Cinderella well, registering two wins, run to the semifinals of the two draws and a loss.

Suzuki Cup two years ago Bristol also moved up that catapulted the team slightly in the rankings

since Etheridge manned the posts, climbing from 23rd to 21st among 24 teams in England’s Football League Two. In a recent interview, Etheridge admitted that he is enjoying his playing time with the Rovers, in contrast to Fulham where he was third choice.

Spurs cool off Rockets 116-107 H OUSTON -- Wesley Witherspoon scored 17 points to lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 116-107 win over the Houston Rockets in a preseason game Sunday.

Danny Green added 15 points on 6 of 9 shooting, including 3 of 5 on 3-pointers. DeJuan Blair had 16 points, Cory Joseph added 12 and Manu Ginobili 11.

Tim Duncan and Tony parker played the first quarter and sat the rest of the game.

Donatas Montiejunas led Houston with 16 points off the bench. Omer Asik added 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Rockets Jeremy Lin (7) scrambles for the ball against Spurs Tim Duncan (21) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday in Houston.

Phl side edges Italy, closes Homeless WC campaign with win

T

EAM Philippines edged Italy, 7-6, to end its campaign on a high note in the 2012 Homeless World Cup Sunday (Monday morning Manila time) at the Plaza de la Constitución in Zócalo, Mexico City.

The victory gives the Filipinos the fifth place for The de La Calle a la Cancha Cup, one of the

trophies in the consolation round of the tournament. it also marked the first time the country beat Italy, which it had not beaten in the past three editions of the tournament.

The country’s finish was a tremendous result for the Philippine squad, which almost did not play in the tournament be-

cause of a lack of funds.

Luckily, it was able to lure several sponsors to make its stint in the competition possible.

In the rankings last year, the Philippines placed 26th out of the 69 participating nations.

It also clinched the Host Cup trophy in the tournament two years ago.

Chile bagged the

Homeless World Cup after beating host Mexico, 8-5, in the final match.

Meanwhile, Mexico thumped Brazil, 6-2, to win the championship in the women’s edition of the tournament.

The annual Homeless World Cup aims to bring change to lives of poor people through a worldwide football event.

Heather Watson of Britain celebrates after winning women’s final match against Chang Kai-Chen of Taiwan at Japan Women’s Open tennis tournament in Osaka, western Japan, Sunday.

Ferrari’s Felipe Massa

Massa to stay with Ferrari F ELIPE Massa has secured his future at Ferrari, with team principal Stefano Domenicali revealing on Sunday night that the outfit will make an announcement about its driver plans imminently.

Massa’s place at Ferrari has been the subject of intense speculation for much of the season, on the back of a difficult start to the campaign where he could not match the pace or results of team-mate Fernando Alonso.

However, a stronger second half to the campaign and impressive drives in Japan and Korea have sealed his place at the team - with it understood that a deal will be sorted out imminently.

Ferrari’s decision to retain Massa for next year, which could be confirmed ahead of the Indian Grand Prix, leaves the way open for Nico Hulkenberg to join

Sauber for 2013.

Hulkenberg had been favourite to move to Maranello if the team elected to replace Massa, but his focus will now be on finalising a contract with Sauber - with a provisional agreement believed to have been finalised.

Massa himself said on Sunday that he was convinced he would be staying on as Alonso’s team-mate for another year.

When asked by AUTOSPORT if he had any doubts that he would not be at Ferrari, he said: “No. I don’t have. But anyway we wait for the time.

“When you get the OK from both directions that is when you are sure. I think it will be pretty soon to be honest.”

Domenicali has also dropped the firmest hint yet that Massa will be staying - as he suggested matters could be finalised soon.

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