Edge Davao 5 Issue 262

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VOL.5 ISSUE 262 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 8-9, 2013

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‘National interest comes first’ P

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RESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III said it is his obligation to pursue the interest of the greater number of Filipinos with regards to the ongoing crisis in Sabah.

At the same time, the Chief Executive reiterated his position for the peaceful resolution of the issue. “ A k o naman po, bilang ama n g ating bans a , obli-

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Davao goes MADz Sports

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gasyon ko ‘yung kapakanan, kung hindi ng lahat, ay ‘yung talagang nakararami,” the President said during his speech when he met residents and leaders of General Santos City.

The President said the rights of the heirs of the Sulu sultanate must be clarified because there were reports in the past saying these rights were relegated to the Philippine government to pursue the Sabah ownership.

President Aquino mentioned in his speech a paper presented by then Sen. Ambrosio Padilla on March 29, 1968 showing a February 1, 1968 document containing a power of attorney allegedly executed by the heirs of the Sultan of Sulu in favor of former president Ferdinand E. Marcos.

The document recognized the authority and power of the President to represent them in the settlement of their propriety rights over Sabah.

FNATIONAL, 11

Built for a Championship

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President Benigno Aquino III stresses a point in his message before guests and participants of MICE Convention 2013 which includes foreign and domestic dignitaries during the event’s formal opening at SM Lanang Premier’s SMX Convention Center in J.P. Laurel Avenue, Lanang, Davao City yesterday. President Aquino said more major international events will be hosted by the country in the future. Lean Daval Jr.

2 THE BIG NEWS

VOL.5 ISSUE 262 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 8-9, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

TAX EXEMPTION LAW. President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III signs Republic Act 10374 or better known as Income Tax Exemptions to International Carriers during the formal opening of MICE Conference 2013 at SM Lanang Premier s SMX Convention Center in J.P. Laurel Avenue, Lanang, Davao City yesterday. R.A. 10374 was co-authored by Rep. Sid Ungab, Rep. Jerry P. Treñas and Rep. Rex Gatchalian which aimed to rationalize the taxes paid by international carriers in the country. Witnessing the signing are (l-r) Rep. Maricar Zamora, Department of Tourism Sec. Ramon Jimenez, Jr., Sen. Franklin Drilon, Speaker Sonny Belmonte, Rep. Jerry P. Treñas, Rep. Isidro Ungab, Vice Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, Rep. Mylene Garcia-Albano (Davao City, 2nd Dist.) and Rep. Anthony Del Rosario (Davao del Norte, Dist. 1). Lean Daval Jr.

PNoy hails MICECon

Aquino inks law exempting int’l airline firms from tax A

By EJ Dominic Fernandez

Author Sid Ungab explains benefits of new law

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OREIGN air and shipping companies are now exempt from paying certain Philippine taxes after President Simeon Benigno Aquino III signed Republic Act 10374 during the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Events/ Exhibition Conference (MICECon) 2013, at SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Tuesday.

The law was authored

by Davao City Congressman Isidro T. Ungab and two other members the

House of Representatives and Senator Franklin Drilon in the Senate.

A government briefer on the new law says international carriers and shippers are mandated to pay the Gross Philippine Billings Tax (GPBT) and common carriers’ tax (CCT) under the Philippine Tax Code, but with RA 10374 where National Internal Revenue Code of 1997 Section 28 (A) (3) (a-b), Section 109, and Section 118 are amended, carriers will be exempt

from paying the 2.5 percent GPBT and three percent CCT. This will be granted to foreign carriers provided that the same exemption is granted by the carrier’s own country to the Philippines, according to the law.

When asked about the significance of the law, Ungab, who is also credited with having been one of the House author of the socalled Sin Tax law, said that the reciprocal agreements under the new

Datu Bago awardees named

law hopes to at least double the number of tourist arrivals.

“It also hopes to bring back to the Philippines foreign airlines that have left the country like KLM, Cathy Pacific, Qatar and others. Aside from this, our local airline industry will be assisted in penetrating the tourism industry of other countries,” Ungab said.

The briefer states that this will “boost the attainment of the tourism in-

FAQUINO INKS LAW, 11

Cites bigger things to come for country

N upbeat President Benigno Aquino welcomed some 600 delegates from all over the world on the second day of the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Events/Exhibitions Conference (MICECon) 2013 at the SMX Convention Center yesterday with the announcement that there were 4.3 million tourist visitors in the country in 2012.

In his speech, Aquino said there were only 1.8 million tourist arrivals in 2001 which grew to 3.1 million by the end of 2009.

The figure of 4.3 million in 2012, he said, is the first time that we were able to reach that

mark despite the global economic downturn, the president said, adding, “This 1.2-million increase, in just two years, matched what our predecessors had done in nine.”

He also announced that “In 2011, we exceeded by two million, our original 2016 target of 30.5 million domestic travelers, which means that in just a year and a half, we exceeded the target of our whole six year term.”

He attributed this success to Tourism secretary Ramon Jimenez, who, Aquino said, has found success by improving the tourism sector in such a short time.

FPNoy HAILS, 11

Oncologist, homegrown oil magnate are this year’s awardees

By Che Palicte

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N celebration of the 76th Araw ng Davao, a medical doctor and a businessman were named as 2013 Datu Bago awardees for their exceptional contribution to the growth and development of the city.

Councilor Pilar Braga, chairperson of the Datu Bago Foundation, bared yesterday at the weekly iSpeak forum at the city hall that Dr. Helen Grace

Te-Santos and Dennis Uy are this year’s awardees.

Santos was the first president of the Davao Cancer Society and countless recognition had been given her for her numerous accomplishments in the field of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Oncology.

She was encouraged and unified medical doctors and societies to get involved in health outreach programs for

many Mindanaoans. She also travelled not only to Davao communities but also to hinterlands and localities of Mati, Davao Oriental, General Santos City in South Cotabato, Carmen in Davao del Norte and as far as Cotabato City to deliver health missions.

“With her leadership, Dabawenyos have become more aware of can-

FDATU BAGO, 11

MICE CON. Participants pass through the centerpiece Davao signage at the exhibition area of MICE Convention 2013 at SMX Convention Center in J.P. Laurel Avenue, Lanang, Davao City yesterday. Lean Daval Jr.

EDGEDAVAOVOL.5 ISSUE 262 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 8-9, 2013

PROPERTY

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Camella Northpoint gives the best city living experience I

F city living is your lifestyle of choice, then you enjoy urban living and all the modern conveniences it offers.

Your workplace or business will be within city limits, easy accessible with a short drive or ride on public transport. You enjoy the city’s night life

and dining out in Davao’s eclectic mix of homegrown restaurants, food chains, and exquisite fine dining hot spots.

You want to easily shuttle back and forth to your daily commitments with banks, schools, hospitals, worship places, airport, markets, and other public

utilities. And, of course, you want to be close to the city’s biggest and best malls and all its locators.

But even when you desire all these, don’t you yearn to live in a nature-filled environment where coming home is a much welcome respite from the city’s hustle and

bustle?

Then Camella Northpoint is for you.

Nestled within the heart of Davao’s growth area, this British colonial themed condo development of masterplan developer Camella, is located at the junction of Buhangin and Bajada in JP Laurel Avenue.

With its clubhouse Wakefield Manor housing a fitness gym, cabanas and grill pits, a salinated wellness pool, and a multi-use function hall, homeowners can still enjoy fine living amenities while at home.

But that’s not all, Northpoint residents also get to enjoy a nature-filled surrounding of tall, ageold Acacia trees surrounded by all-weather Caribbean pine trees that give of a cool, refreshing scent. It also has pocket gardens, nature park, playground, multi-purpose ball court, shuttle service, and 24/7 security.

Northpoint will have its own lifestyle center with specialty restaurants, coffee shops, high-end retail stores, and a boutique hotel. The White Mansion already hosts an Asian fusion fine dining restaurant with its own wine cellar.

All these further enhance the charmed lifestyle of Northpoint residents.

Camella is the subsidiary catering to the mid-market segment of

Vista Land, the country’s premier homebuilder.

In a 2011 study by Colliers International Research, Vista Land stood out as the leader in Philippine residential real estate development with a total of over 18,422 houses, houses and lots and condominiums sold out in that year alone.

Like its mother company, Camella understands that it is the ultimate dream of every Filipino to have a home of their own.

Thus, it is their vision to build a home for EVERY Filipino.

Hence it gave Davao its landmark condo development Camella Northpoint, now the premier address in the city.

For more details on Camella Northpoint, visit Camella at Delgar Bldg. in front of Northpoint or call 2220963. For more Camella information, news, events and announcements, check out www.camella.com.ph, like “Camella Official” on Facebook and follow “@CamellaOfficial” on Twitter.

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VOL.5 ISSUE 262 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 8-9, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

VM Rody threatens to part ways with partymates backing Bian V

ROUTINE FUNCTION. Acting Mayor Rodrigo Duterte goes about his normal routine in the city not worrying about the coming May elections as all his mayoralty rivals have been declared nuissance candidates by the Comelec. (Lean Daval, Jr.)

ICE MAYOR Rody R. Duterte has affirmed his all-out support for the candidacy of re-electionist 2nd district congresswoman Mylene Garcia, asking Hugpong members and supporters not to believe talks and rumors spread

by Joji Ilagan-Bian’s camp that the 2nd district is a “free zone” in so far as the congressional tussle is concerned.

The vice mayor aired his warning in at least two broadcasts of his popular “Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa” weekly program that he would not hesitate to part ways with Hugpong members who insist on betraying Hugpong by supporting Bian.

The vice mayor’s warning assumes a more significant meaning now that he is the remaining top leader of Hugpong with the resignation of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio as party president. It may be recalled that Vice Mayor Rody founded Hugpong sometime at the height of his 18-year reign as mayor of the city. He is the Hugpong standard bearer for city mayor in the May 13 elections.

Rody’s oft-repeated warning was reportedly prompted by overt acts of two former city councilors who are campaigning for Bian. Both Bian supporters had lost their earlier congressional bids to

candidates of the Garcia clan – three-term congressman Vincent Garcia and his sister, incumbent congresswoman Mylene.

The two and Joji, who herself lost in her earlier bid twice, have reportedly formed a “triumvirate of losers,” to “avenge” their defeat at the hands of the Garcias.

Some analysts read this triumvirate cabal as an experiment designed to test the political mettle of Vice Mayor Duterte. If Duterte’s candidate loses this May, it will be a signal to Duterte’s political foes to launch during the 2016 elections a citywide challenge to Duterte’s supremacy. This is not a remote possibility, some analysts say, because Joji is a known ally of former Speaker Nograles, Duterte’s political arch enemy. Joji’s two supporters defied Duterte’s counsel once before when they ran for a Congress seat against members of the Garcia family.

Sources knowledgeable of the political history of Vice Mayor Rody say his loyalty to the Garcia family is understandable.

A former councilor and retired politician said the Garcias, particularly former Congressman Manuel “Nonoy” Garcia, were among the four pillars who supported Rody in his first battle for mayor in 1988. The other three, now all deceased,

were congressman and former mayor Elias B. Lopez, businessman Robert Allan Limso and former senator Alejandro Almendras.

During Duterte’s first re-election bid in 1992, Almendras, a distant uncle, abandoned him and put up his son, former councilor and now vice mayor of Sta. Cruz (Davao del Sur) Alexis for mayor, while Limso supported then congressman Prospero Nograles, also for mayor. However, Garcia and Lopez stuck it out with Rody.

Nonoy Garcia’s loyalty was tested when he reportedly sided with Duterte in his fight against former mayor Benjamin de Guzman in 2001, despite the fact that de Guzman was his (Garcia’s) longtime law partner. With Elias Lopez dead, Duterte continued supporting the former’s son, Roy Lopez, for three consecutive terms. However, Duterte and the younger Lopez had a falling out in 2007, prompting Rody to handpick Isidro T. Ungab, a consistent topnotcher in past derbies for councilor in the 3rd District, as Hugpong’s candidate for congressman.

With the parting of ways of the Lopez family with Duterte, only the Garcias have remained Dutertes’ allies from his original four supporters.

Legarda pushes for women leaders Team PNoy hails appointment

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N celebration of Women’s Month, Senator Loren Legarda urged Filipino women to take on a more active role as leaders in the society as they continue to perform the role of serving their communities.

Legarda, who will attend the Philippine Women Judges Association’s National Convention in Palo, Leyte and the Women’s Congress in Baybay, Leyte, said that this year’s theme for the Women’s Month celebration, “Kababaihan: Gabay sa Pagtahak sa Tuwid na Daan”, underscores the need for women to be at the forefront of efforts to improve Filipino communities and take initiatives that would contribute to the nation’s progress.

“In celebrating Women’s Month, we aim to empower women so that they will have the

confidence to lead and still have the compassion to serve. We must always assert what we believe is right and good for our citizens and for our nation,” the Senator stressed.

“Our government should invest more in strengthening women’s role as leaders in our society because women have proven their leadership capabilities especially in times of crisis.

There is no question on the importance of investing in women, and in getting them involved in decision-making, especially on issues concerning environment and climate change,” she added.

Legarda said that women have been at the frontline of disaster prevention and climate change adaptation efforts, like a group of women farmers in

Montalban, Rizal who are practicing agroforestry to adapt to the prolonged wet season.

Meanwhile, a group of women fisherfolk in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur reforested over a hundred hectares of mangrove areas to protect their settlements from storm surges and secure an additional source of food for their families.

“Climate change adaptation is just one area where women can prove that they are powerful agents of change. We must create meaningful opportunities for women’s participation and leadership. We should recognize and empower women, who are agents of solutions, indispensable holders of valuable knowledge and skills, and able leaders from the grassroots level to the global stage,” Legarda concluded.

of 2 Comelec commissioners

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HE administration coalition Team PNoy on Thursday/ March 7 welcomed the appointment of two new commissioners of the Commission on Elections as a step forward in ensuring that the Comelec’s efforts towards having a clean and fair elections in May is more achievable.

“We welcome President Aquino’s appointment of former Ambassador Macabangkit Lanto and election lawyer Bernadette Sardillo as replacements for retired Commissioners Rene Sarmiento and Armando Velasco as this now completes the commission’s membership during this very critical period. We hope that their addition will now afford the Comelec enough manpower to carry out pending reforms to make the elections orderly, peaceful and credible,” Team

PNoy spokesman Rep. Miro Quimbo said.

The Marikina representative likewise said the appointment will allow the Comelec to carry out steps “towards making the elections truly balanced.”

“We trust that the new appointees will serve as instruments, not obstacles, to the government’s pursuit of transparency and accountability,” Quimbo said.

Team PNoy senatorial candidate former Sen. Jamby Madrigal also welcomed the appointments, noting the two commissioners will bring to the poll body fresh perspectives on election reform consistent with the President’s “daang matuwid” program.

“I am glad that the vacancies in the Comelec have been filled with people of integrity and competence. I trust that

the Commission will do its best to ensure a clean and honest election this May,” Madrigal said.

Former Sen. Ramon “Jun” Magsaysay meanwhile congratulated Lanto and Sardillo on their appointments, saying they are welcome additions to the poll body.

“We are filled with optimism that, like the rest of the men and women of the Comelec, they will ensure that the mid-term elections will be clean and honest.

He advised the new appointees to be meaningful agents of change and work with a fair sound mind.

“We’re confident that they will contribute significantly to the Comelec’s conduct of clean, fair, orderly and peaceful elections in May as well as in future political exercises,” he said.

EDGEDAVAOVOL.5 ISSUE 262 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 8-9, 2013

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SUBURBIA

VOL.5 ISSUE 262 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 8-9, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Paving of all national roads by 2016 doable A

DATU BAGO AWARDS. Councilor Pilar Braga, Datu Bago Foundation chair (left), discusses the upcoming Datu Bago Awards night slated on March 15, 2013 at the Royal Mandaya Hotel during the I-Speak media forum at the conference room of the

Davao City Hall yesterday. At right is Mocha Production chief executive officer Timothy Te who talked about the 1st Dabaw Sinugba Festival to be held at Tienda del Mercado in Juna Subdivision from March 14-17, 2013. Lean Daval Jr.

top local executive in Mindanao is optimistic the Aquino administration could deliver its target of paving all national auxiliary roads by 2014 and all secondary roads in 2016.

Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, President of the Confederation of Provincial Governors, City Mayors and Municipal Mayors League Presidents in Mindanao (Confed), said he is confident President Benigno Aquino III will be able to fulfill his promise of concreting all national roads in the country before his term ends.

“As a governor and as President of Confed, ako po ay naniniwala na yan po ay tutuparin ni Pangulong PNoy (I truly believe the president could attain that goal),” del Rosario

said in an interview with the media.

The governor affirmed Aquino’s crusade for good governance and anti-corruption campaign, dubbed as ‘Daang Matuwid’ (Righteous Path), will make it possible for the government to realize the target.

During the provincial sortie of the Team PNoy senatorial candidates in Tagum City, del Rosario trumpeted the ‘Daang matuwid’ crusade made it possible for the administration to increase public investment for more roads, more livelihood and employment, more school buildings and teachers, improved hospital facilities and wider universal PhilHealth coverage for the poor.

He revealed Davao del

Norte has benefitted a lot with the construction of more farm-to-market roads and concrete highways.

Good roads, Del Rosario said, has reduced travel time to tourist destinations, as well as, encouraged farmers to produce more with the easy movement of their produce.

“Countless more blessings are coming our way,” he said, courtesy of the improving national economy.

The governor vouched for the continuity of the president’s anti-corruption campaign, among other reforms, even beyond 2016, provided all the administration’s senatorial slate shall get a fresh mandate in the coming May polls.

GenSan’s biggest hotel is nearing completion

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consortium of Chinese-Filipino businessman is eyeing to open a P250 million six-story, 111room high-end hotel in Gen. Santos City within the year.

Domingo Teng, a local tuna businessman, said that Greenleaf Hotel GenSan is now 85 percent complete.

“This would be the biggest business hotel in the city that will cater to businessmen and highend tourists,” he told reporters Wednesday.

Teng said they expect to open the hotel “four months from now at the most” or in July that would charge its guests “reasonable rates.”

Local and Manila-based investors decided to put up the hotel owing to positive growth indicators in the city, including the increase in incoming air passenger traffic by 14 percent from 2011 to 2012, he said.

There are daily flights to Manila as well as alternating routes to the cities of Cebu and Iloilo served by Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and Air Philippine Express.

The city’s economy continues to grow as shown by the entry of big shopping malls like Robinsons and SM Mall, and the continued local construction boom, Teng said.

Greenleaf is located just across SM Mall along San Miguel Street

at the heart of the city.

Known as the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines,” this city hosts six of the country’s seven tuna canneries with their executives among the target clienteles of the hotel, he added.

Teng said the city’s economy is also expected to grow further due to the high migration in the locality that is Region 12’s major economic hub.

Also known as Soccsksargen Region, it covers the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong. Kidapawan and Cotabato.

Avelmar Manansala, city hall’s media affairs officer, said the city has around 1,200 rooms both by big hotels and small lodging houses.

For really big conventions, the city is not yet fully capable in terms of accommodation since the existing capacity is not enough, he said, adding they expect the number of rooms to reach 1,500 likely in two years.

Manansala said that Greenleaf invested at least P250 million that entitled it to enjoy local tax breaks for seven years.

Greenleaf will be the second hotel to open this year after the 66room Microtel, which opened last month.

(Bong S. Sarmiento/ MindaNews)

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 262 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 8-9, 2013

THE ECONOMY

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Aboitiz 2012 income up 13% to P24B A

BOITIZ Equity Ventures, Inc. (AEV) ended 2012 with a consolidated net income of P23.9 bn, registering an increase of 13% YoY. This translates to P4.33 in earnings per share. Power remained to account for the lion’s share at 78%, which was followed by the Banking and Food SBUs with income contributions of 16% and 5%, respectively. The remaining share was accounted for by several other investee companies, including the newly acquired Property SBU. Power Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) ended the year in review with an income contribution of P18.8 bn, vis-a-vis last year’s P16.5 bn. When adjusted for non-recurring items, the Power SBU recorded a 13% YoY increase in its earnings share, from P16.1 bn to P18.2 bn.

“With a growing economy comes an increased demand in energy,” said Erramon Aboitiz, AEV Chief Executive Officer.

“For the next four years, AboitizPower and its partners will invest P85 billion for building new power plants across the Philippines. Reliable

and affordable supply of power will be critical in sustaining long term economic growth for the country as a whole,” said Aboitiz.

In 2012, the power generation business contributed earnings of P17.5 bn, recording a 12% YoY growth. The increase in the group’s bottomline performance was due to the higher average selling price and net generation recorded for the period.

The group’s average price for its power increased by 3% YoY during the year. This was on the back of a 40% YoY rise in average selling price of electricity sold to the spot market as a result of the combination a tight supply situation brought about by higher outage levels and an increase in demand due to the hotter climate and increased economic activity during the year.

AboitizPower’s net generation for 2012 registered a 13% YoY increase from 9,422 GWh to 10,660 GWh. This was mainly accounted for by the 17% YoY expansion in power sales through bilateral contracts. On a capacity basis, the Company’s attributable sales increased by 9% YoY, from 1,413 MW to 1,547 MW, given the ris-

ing capacity sales through bilateral contracts. Capacity sold factors in general rose during the year, with the coal, geothermal and oil plants registering at 74%, 85%, and 93% respectively Meanwhile, improved sales volumes and margin expansions resulted to a 19% increase in the power distribution group’s income contribution for the year 2012, to P2.2 bn from P1.8 bn during the same period last year. AboitizPower’s attributable electricity sales grew by 6% YoY, from 3,727 GWh to 3,934 GWh. With economic activity in the country increasing, the industrial segment posted a 6% YoY growth in sales, followed by the residential segment at 5%. Meanwhile the commercial segment also posted modest growth at 3% YoY. The group’s average gross margin for 2012 improved by 11% YoY to P1.60/kWh, mainly due to the implementation of the distribution utilities’ approved rates under the PBR. Another driver for the group’s enhanced gross margin was the reduced systems loss, with Visayan Electric Company (VECO) and Cotabato Light and Power Company (CLPC) in particular

reducing their level of system loss by 0.8 and 0.9 percentage points, respectively, as a result of initiatives implemented during the period in review. The improvement in gross margins helped offset the 16% rise in operating costs during the year.

Financial Services The Banking SBU’s income contribution for the year 2012 registered a 12% YoY improvement, from P3.4 bn to P3.9 bn.

Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank) ended the period with an earnings contribution of P3.3 bn, up by 14% YoY. This was on the back of higher net interest income and hefty trading gains booked during the period.

Net interest income grew by 5% to P7.3 bn, as the 25% improvement in funding costs from interest bearing liabilities more than offset the 8% drop in income from earning assets.

Total other income rose by 13% to P10.8 bn from P9.6 bn a year ago mainly on hefty trading gains, which surged by 20% to P6.5 bn. Premium revenues, on the other hand, fell by 10% to P1.2 bn as a result of lower sales of First Union Plan’s Inc. preneed plans.

Total operating expenses amounted to P8.6 bn, 5% higher than the P8.2 bn last year, mainly attributable to increases in salaries and other employee benefits.

UnionBank’s asset base expanded to P275.9 billion as of end-2012, with a deposit base of P186.0 bn and a loan book of P119.7 bn. The Bank’s Tier 1 and total capital adequacy ratio (CAR) further strengthened to 18.0% and 20.7%, respectively, comfortably above existing regulatory minimum and forthcoming Basel III requirements.

AEV’s non-listed thrift bank, City Savings Bank (CitySavings), contributed earnings of P520 mn in 2012, which was lower by 2% YoY. The decrease is mainly attributed to the bank’s ongoing expansion program which led to a 28% increase YoY in operating expenses.

Food The Company’s food unit, Pilmico Foods Corporation, recorded a 5% growth in its income contribution for 2012 to P1.3 bn, from P1.2 bn the previous year. This was driven by a 6% increase in overall sales, with the flour, feeds, and farm divisions all posting an increase in sales volumes. Fourth quarter sales

were particularly stronger, growing by 11% to P4.2 bn as compared to the same period last year. In spite of the strong performance of the flour and farms divisions, the feeds division registered a YoY decrease in its income contribution as a result of lower average selling prices, which led to a corresponding decline in margins.

Property On Sept. 28, 2012, the Board of Directors of AEV approved the proposal to acquire 100% of affiliate Aboitiz Land, Inc. at the transaction cost of P3.2 bn.

The transaction was completed in November.

Financial Condition For the year ending December 31, 2012, the Company’s consolidated assets amounted to P223.8 bn, up by 11% from yearend 2011 level. Cash and cash equivalents was at P33.7 bn, 14% higher than the year-end 2011 level of P29.5 bn. Consolidated liabilities amounted to P110.3 bn, while Equity Attributable to Equity Holders of the Parent increased by 19% to P91.8 bn. Current ratio as of year-end 2012 was at 2.5x (versus year-end 2011’s 3.0x), while net debt-to-equity ratio was at 0.5x (versus year-end 2011’s 0.6x).

CEB shows full support to Davao events

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Holds Davao seat sale as low as PHP199

he Philippines’ largest national flag carrier, Cebu Pacific (PSE:CEB) remains committed to boosting tourism in Davao, as the official airline sponsor of the Davao Mega Travel Sale Expo, and the only airline sponsor of the MICECON 2013. Both events are held in Davao this weekend.

On its 4th year, the Davao Mega Travel Sale Expo is from March 7 to 10, 2013 at the new SM Lanang Davao. It is organized by the Davao Travel Agencies Association.

Travelers can buy seats as low as PHP199 at the CEB booth at the Davao Mega Travel Sale Expo until March 9, 2013, for travel from May 1 to August 31, 2013.

“Cebu Pacific is very pleased to be the official airline partner of the Davao Mega Travel Sale Expo for the 4th year in a row. We have been supporting the Davao Expo since its inception, because we believe in the tourism potential of Davao, and in engaging stakeholders to continuously offer new services

and attractions to the traveling public,” said CEB VP for Marketing and Distribution Candice Iyog.

Meanwhile, tourism and travel industry stakeholders will convene for the 2013 Philippine MICECON (Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions, Exhibitions and Events Conference) will be held from March 6 to 9, 2013 at the SMX Convention Center Davao.

“Last year, CEB launched direct flights from Davao to Puerto Princesa, Kalibo, Dipolog and Butuan, significantly reducing travel time and the need for connecting flights. This steady expansion of our Davao hub signifies the our strong commitment in promoting travel to and from Davao, by offering trademark lowest fares and an unbeatable route network,” Iyog said.

CEB currently operates nine direct flights from Davao, with existing services to Cagayan de Oro, Manila, Cebu, Iloilo and Zamboanga.

The airline recently announced pioneering direct services between

Cebu and Camiguin, slated to be launched on April 15, 2013. Direct flights between Cebu and Masbate will be launched on June 1, 2013.

CEB will also launch its Manila-Bali service on March 16 and its Manila-Dubai service on October 7, 2013.

For bookings and inquiries, guests can go to www.cebupacificair. com, or call the reservation hotlines (02) 7020888 or (032) 230-8888.

The latest seat sales can also be found on CEB’s official Twitter and Facebook pages. Quoted fares are exclusive of check-in baggage allowance, taxes, fuel surcharges and admin fees.

CEB currently operates 10 Airbus A319, 24 Airbus A320 and 8 ATR72 500 aircraft. Its fleet of 42 aircraft is one of the most modern aircraft fleets in the world.

Between 2013 and 2021, Cebu Pacific will take delivery of 18 more Airbus A320 and 30 Airbus A321neo aircraft orders.

It is slated to begin longhaul services in the 3rd quarter of 2013.

8 VANTAGE POINTS

VOL.5 ISSUE 262 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 8-9, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Does anyone care about newspaper ombudsmen? ( Conclusion )

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EDITORIAL

Big help coming

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ENS OF THOUSANDS of Dabawenyoswho are in the state of unhealth, particularly those afflicted with kidney trouble have reason to be happy.

Acting Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte plans to expand the much-vaunted assistance of the city government to kidney patients to include patients who are confined in hospitals other than the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), the biggest state-run medical facility in Mindanao.

Mr. Duterte bared his plan in a speech he made during a program held to commemorate World Kidney Day. His plan is doable This can be done bydemocratizing the services of the city government’s long-running “Lingap Para samgaMahihirap” programwhich subsidizes treatment and medicines of mostly poor patients in the SPMC. The best part of Duterte’s plan is the deployment of dialysis machines to smaller hospitals and for the city government to shoulder the fees for the medical personnel involved in the treatment.

Duterte said it pained him to deny

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help to other Dabawenyos who need to undergo dialysis in small clinics, aside from those being served by the Lingap program at the SPMC.He revealed that medical and social services constitute the biggest expense in his 19-year experience as leader of the local government unit P220 million for medicine, hospital and burial expensesfor indigent patients.

“It is bigger than the intelligence fund which is only P5 million per year,” Duterte bared.

To better appreciate the big help that the vice mayor is mulling over, let’s look into the operation of the dialysis section.

Dr. Jeanette Ybiernas, medical director of the SPMC Mindanao Dialysis Center, said that due to the increasing demand, management had to raise to 55 the number of dialysis machines from the original 34 last October.

Everyday, the center is dialyzing some 90 patients a day, Dr. Ybiernas said, adding that at a given time there could be close to 1,000 patients in various dialysis centers of the city.

The Duterte solution ANTONIO M. AJERO Editor in Chief

ALBERTO DALILAN Managing

NEILWIN L. BRAVO Sports and Motoring ARLENE D. PASAJE Cartoons

RAMON M. MAXEY Consultant

KENNETH IRVING K. ONG Creative Solutions

GREGORIO G. DELIGERO Associate

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

EJ DOMINIC FERNANDEZ • CHE D. PALICTE Reporters

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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COMMENTARY

BY JACK SHAFER

N an ideal world, newspapers would answer complaints from readers and critics directly. But like other powerful people in the news, editors recoil at being grilled about how they do their job. In 2011, New York Times Executive Editor Bill Keller likened his critics to “oxpeckers who ride the backs of pachyderms, feeding on ticks.” In 2009, Washington Post Executive Editor Marcus Brauchli gave then-Washington City Paper Editor Erik Wemple an earful when asked detailed questions about a brouhaha at the Post.

“I don’t think it’s necessary for us to lay out all of the processes in the newspaper to make decisions. … Newspapers spend way too much time explaining themselves. … Too many people call our newsroom. There are endless queries on our journalism these days. I think it’s better for us to focus on producing journalism than on our process.”

If there has been any protest — organized or piecemeal — against the Post for retiring the ombudsman position, I’ve missed it. I’ve witnessed greater reader noise after the cancellation of a comic strip from the Post. This relative silence suggests that in its 43 years, the Post ombudsman job never created much of a constituency of its own. You can’t blame the Post for reader indifference: It has given the column big play and has never messed with the ombud’s independence (that I’m aware of). Perhaps the failure of the ombudsman column to catch fire with readers belongs to the ombudsmen themselves, whose dissections of the Post too often read like stuffy lecture notes written by an over-the-hill professor. If only the Post could have cloned Daniel Okrent. The New York Times appointed Okrent as its first ombudsman (d.b.a. “the public editor”) in 2003 and installed him in the ombudsman position permanently. Okrent produced a stream ofTimes columns so independent, thoughtful and incandescent that the only way to contain their unremitting brilliance was to seal them forever between hardcovers.

Martin Baron, the Post‘s current executive editor, told Ombudsman Pexton last month that one argument against perpetuating the ombudsman job was that its core functions — criticizing thePost and holding its staff accountable — had been somewhat subsumed by the Internet. “There is ample criticism of our performance from outside sources, entirely independent of the newsroom, and we don’t pay their salaries,” said Baron, which I take as a soft promise that he will be a more willing feeder of the press oxpeckers than was Brauchli.

Ben Bagdikian, a former Washington Post editor, an early Post ombudsman and a professor of journalism, once called the ombudsman office “a kind of self-indulgent, self-congratulatory gesture by a lot of publishers.” But he hadn’t soured on the position completely. “On the whole, it’s been a healthy development. It’s certainly been better than nothing,” he said.

Better than nothing? We’re about to find out.

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 262 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 8-9, 2013 QUIPS “The Sultan is calling for a unilateral ceasefire of the Sultanate of Sulu effective this hour 12:30 p.m. in order to reciprocate the call of the United Nations to preserve SULTAN JAMALUL KIRAM III lives.”

through spokesperson Abraham Idjirani

“Did they want us to send our armed forces and join them in their violent struggle? In putting at risk our fellowmen (in Sabah), do they also want to put 90 million Filipinos here in danger?”

PRESIDENT BENIGNO AQUINO III

S

A very sad Tausug brother

ALAAM! Peace!

For days now, I’ve been feeling sad about the unnecessary sacrifice and loss of lives of our Tausug brethren in Sabah. I grew up idolizing the Kiram brothers in the game of basketball back in the 1970s: they were such excellent and smooth players with good grasp of the fundamentals of the game back then.

Before Michael Jordan was doing the split, one of the Kiram brothers (the captain ball of the Sulu High School Basketball Team in the 1970s, before the War) was already doing it with wonderful finesse.

In the 1960s, as I was going through the elementary at Lapa, Maimbung, Sulu, Abraham Idjirani was also my idol; he graduated as a Valedictorian of his class. I was probably Grade III then. Such intelligence I thought.

My point is this: Well-thought-out advice---exhausting peaceful means -- should have been given to the Honorable Sultan; for him to do his claim through the (international) Court of law (I’ve been away from the academe for so long; I don’t know which court of law at this point). Times have already changed...;

PEACETALK MORSIDY HUSIN we can no longer do things the old-fashioned way.

Last week a British-American lady (a property owner) was coming back to Santa Cruz, CA to retire. She wanted to evict an old lady from her property. She asked me about her options. I told her: You know that you can never move this lady out of your property if she has no place to go, especially if she’s paying her rent on time. The Sherriff’s Office will not put her out... You could probably give her a “60-Day Notice to Move Out” and file the case with the Court after the Notice has expired. But there is essentially nothing else you could do to throw her out. Worse comes to worst, you could give her a rent-increase notice...

As a Tausug Muslim, I value life (and peace) so much that it pains me to know about senseless death like this again, especially after my horrible experience in Jolo in 1974---the grieving families, the

children losing their fathers, relatives, the pain and anguish of dying in foreign land...Oh my God! It’s time for us to shift our attention away from war, from fighting, from making use of our glorious history the wrong way. Instead of glorifying our culture of war and guns and wrong-headed courage, we should re-direct the same courage to education, peace, open-mindedness, science, growth, development, tolerance...

These are the new challenges in our lives now in which we can teach our kids to be brave and courageous and fearless like those lost Tausug warriors in the past; but blaze a new trail (using the same bravery) to achieve exceptional heights in socio-economic and educational development. Instead of using our money to build an army, we should put up scholarship funds and build public libraries and parks instead -- so our new generations of Tausugs could grow strong and intelligent and bold in the pursuit of peace and love and development.

Magsukul! Salamat! Thanks!

A very sad Tausug brother, Morsidy.

VANTAGE POINTS

9

The Sabah standoff’s grim implications ( 1st of two parts ) COMMENTARY

BY BEN KRITZ

M

Y Manila Times column for Tuesday, March 5. At the time I was actually writing this — in the wee hours of the morning on Saturday, March 2 — the media here in the Philippines was reporting that the standoff had “ended,” which was obviously not the case; if anything, the fighting has spread, which should not really be a surprise to anyone. One of the most frustrating things about this very serious crisis is that the governments of both countries have been rather ham-fisted in their attempt to keep the news under control; add to that the natural chaos of war, and it’s a pretty fair bet that no one knows exactly what is happening.

While most of the public conversation about the lamentably bloody end to the Sabah standoff has turned to angry recriminations about the Aquino Administration’s appalling mishandling of the situation, very few people are discussing its worrisome long-term implications. The armed standoff may have ended – although there is some justification for actually wondering if it has, thanks to an unprecedented cooperative attempt to impose a news blackout by the Philippine and Malaysian governments – but the dire consequences are only beginning.

The revelation that Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram III sent a letter to the Office of the President requesting inclusion in the peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front is the key piece of evidence that exposes the conspiracy between the Aquino Administration of the Philippines and the government of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.

Aquino’s explanation that the letter was “lost” is simply inexcusable – the negligence that the suggestion that the Philippine government actually needed to be reminded of the Sultanate of Sulu’s importance to the peace talks implies would be criminal, if it were not so ludicrous. The omission of Sulu from the talks, as well as the omission of the Moro National Liberation Front, was clearly intentional. As the intermediary third party, Malaysia is undoubtedly well aware of who all the interested parties are, and is thus complicit in the exclusion of some of them.

To understand why, we need to look at the Malaysian side of the equation.

It is not hard to imagine that excluding the Suluanons would be acceptable to Razak’s government, as that would prevent the problematic issue of the Sultanate’s long-standing claim to Sabah from being introduced in the peace negotiations. And it was possible to exclude the Sultanate, at least initially, because of the internal disagreement among the heirs of Sultan Mahakutta Kiram about who really is in charge. As long as the Kiram clan was not completely united behind a single leader, both the Philippine and Malaysian governments could claim, if the issue was raised, that they could not be certain who properly represented the interests of the Sultanate.

And in a rather immature attempt to further prevent the issue from being raised, Aquino’s government simply “lost” Sultan Jamalul’s letter.

10 NATION/WORLD

VOL.5 ISSUE 262 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 8-9, 2013

EDGEDAVAO

Aquino says tax relief for int’l carriers is a strategic move P

RESIDENT Benigno Aquino III signed Thursday Republic Act 10374, the law that gives income tax exemptions to international carriers in the country, which he described as “ultimately a strategic move” even if it means “initial loss of revenue”.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions, Exhibitions and Events conference here, the President said the law will benefit the aviation industry, tourism industry, and the millions of our people who will have greater freedom in planning their lives.

Once the law takes effect, Aquino said, all international carriers will be exempted from paying the 3-percent Common Carriers Tax on receipts and income derived from transporting passengers.

The law, titled “An act recognizing the principle of reciprocity as basis for the grant of income tax exemptions to international carriers and rationalizing other taxes imposed thereon by amending Sections 28 (A) (3) (a), 109, 118 and 236 of the National Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and for oth-

WORK ON THE SIDE. President Aquino (right) confers with DILG Secretary Mar Roxas (left) and Davao City Rep. Isidro Ungab in the middle of the LP campaign sortie last night at the Rizal Park. Visible at the back of Roxas is Rep. Mylene Garcia. (Lean Daval, Jr.)

er purposes” was a consolidation of House Bill 6022 and Senate Bill 3343.

It provides that foreign carriers, both air and shipping, are exempted from paying the Common Carriers Tax imposed on passenger traffic only, and that carriers will also be exempted from paying value-added tax

PNoy asks:

for the transport of passengers.

With the signing of RA 10374, the Department of Tourism expected a capacity growth “as route passenger load factors improve relative to flights to neighboring countries,” which is likely to start in summer 2014 and winter 2014.

It noted that the cumu-

lative capacity growth for three years from foreign carriers is at 20 percent average.

The tax relief will aid in the development of the cruise tourism market for the benefit of the secondary tourism destinations and the island economies across the Philippine archipelago, the law briefer

said.

It added that the country will get close to achieving 10 million targets in terms of international arrivals, while tourists are expected to contribute about P50 billion in tax revenues resulting from their expenditures by 2016.

Aquino mentioned that

Sultan declares ceasefire: Malaysia rejects truce offer

“What do you want me to do? S Sacrifice interest of Pinoys?”

P RESIDENT Benigno Aquino reiterated Wednesday night the need for sobriety and “reasonable dialogue” to stop the crisis in Sabah from escalating, claiming the group that holed up in Lahad Datu for nearly a month now has endangered not only themselves but almost a million Filipinos living and working in Sabah and the 90 million Filipinos in the country.

“Para maganda ang usapan, dapat mahinahon.

Dapat may tiwala sa isat isa at mag-usap ng resonable at may patutunguhan tayo (To have a good discussion, we should be sober. We should trust in each other and talk reasonably so we can

proceed), the President said in his speech before endorsing Team PNoy, his administration’s senatorial bets for the mid-term elections in May. Aquino was referring to the group of Rajah Muda Agbimuddin Kiram, brother of Sultan Jamalul Kiram III, who sailed along with some 200 followers to Lahad Datu, Sabah in the second week of February, purportedly to assert their claim over Sabah but who has, the President said, endangered not only themselves but almost a million Filipinos living and working in Sabah and 90 million in the country.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) had

earlier said Kiram led a group of about 180, 30 of whom were armed.

The President said what happened in Sabah was clearly caused by “personal interest” and not for the majority of the people.

Kiram’s group arrived in Lahad Datu, Sabah on the second week of February (some reports put the date on the 9th, others say the 12th) and holed up there, refusing to leave despite appeals from the President and Malaysian authorities.

On March 1, the Malaysian government announced the standoff was over, claiming Kiram’s group attacked secu-

rity forces, killing two policemen.

Fifteen persons were killed on March 1, two of them Malaysian policemen. By Sunday, the death toll was placed at 27, eight of them Malaysian policemen.

On March 5, Malaysia launched aerial and ground attacks to “flush out” Kiram’s group from Lahad Datu. By March 6, reports from Malaysia said 13 more members of Kiram’s group were killed, bringing the death toll to 40.

The President said Kiram’s group is now facing the might of the Malaysian security forces.

(Lorie Ann Cascaro/MindaNews)

by 2016, the country will need 37,000 additional rooms to cope with the influx of arrivals.

He cited that the number of tourist arrivals had increased from 3.1 million in 2009 to 4.3 million in 2012, the first time the country reached a 4-million mark in arrivals. (Lorie Ann Cascaro/MindaNews)

ULTAN Jamalul Kiram III declared Thursday noon a unilateral ceasefire in Sabah, Malaysia in a bid to prevent further loss of lives but Malaysia rejected the truce offer and called on Kiram’s followers to surrender unconditionally.

“Do not trust the ceasefire offer by Jamalul Kiram.

In the interests of the people of Sabah and Malaysia, destroy all the militants,” Defense Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, tweeted in Bahasa Malaysia, Malaysia’s The Star Online, reported.

The report said Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak who visited Lahad Datu Thursday, told a press conference that Kiram’s men “must lay down arms and surrender unconditionally.”

Abraham Idjirani, spokesperson of the Sulu Sultan announced in a press conference in the residence of the Sultan in

Taguig City, Metro Manila that, despite Malaysia’s rejection of its truce offer, “I would reiterate the decision of the Sultanate of Sulu to declare a cessation of hostilities.”

Kiram’s ceasefire declaration, announced in a noontime press conference in Taguig, Metro Manila on Thursday, came some three hours after Malaysia deployed its fighter jets anew to flush out Kiram’s followers from Lahad Datu in Sabah, and a few hours after United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged an end to violence in Sabah and called for dialogue among all parties to peacefully settle the problem.

The Secretary-General, the statement said, is closely following the situation in Sabah and “urges an end to the violence and encourages dialogue among all the parties for a peaceful resolution of the situation,” the statement read.

11

EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 262 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 8-9, 2013

National...

FFROM 1 President Aquino said there is an ongoing propaganda war with regards to the Sabah issue.

The President also defended his position of calling for a peaceful resolution to the issue by persuading the followers of the sultan of Sulu to return home.

“Kayo po testigo, nagmakailang ulit na po akong nakikiusap na kung pupuwede lumikas doon, bumalik na muna dito at pag-usapan natin ang problema sa mapayapa at mahinahon na pamamaraan,” he said.

“Mali ho ba ang mungkahing ‘yon?

Tama ho ba ang sinusugsog ng ilan na dapat suportahan natin ang mga nandoon na may dala-dalang armas, na nagkaroon na ng patayan?”

The ongoing conflict in Sabah may spoil the gains achieved by Malaysia and the Philippines, particularly the stability of Min-

danao after Malaysia successfully brokered the peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF).

Despite Malaysia’s previous animosity towards the Philippines, Philippine-Malaysian relations improved dramatically in the past several decades with the Malaysians aiding the Philippines achieve peace in Mindanao, he said.

“Mag-i-invest sila [Malaysia], magtri-training sila, magiging partner natin sila para magkaroon ng tiyak na pamamaraan umasenso ang buhay ng mga kapatid na nag-alsa na rin, at some point in time,” he said.

It is regrettable that the improved relations between the two countries could be shattered by the Sabah instability, he said.

Everyone involved must clarify the issue because at stake is

the national interest and welfare, he said.

“Ako’y umaapela sa inyo, dapat maliwanag na maliwanag dito. Itong pangyayaring ito mali. Kung mali bakit natin susuportahan?

Dapat suportahan po natin ‘yung tama. ‘Yung tama ang magdadala sa atin sa maaliwalas na kondisyon; ‘yung mali dadalhin tayo sa kapahamakan,” he said.

The Sabah conflict began February 12, when Malaysia’s government said an estimated 100-300 armed Filipinos had landed in a territory claiming sovereignty over it.

After the initial standoff, violence erupted last week with a deadly shootout. On Tuesday Malaysian security forces launched a massive campaign to flush out the armed Filipinos. They said 27 have died in the shootouts and related violence.

NOT HERE. A Malacañang staff (left) shows Vietnamese journalist Dit Bui of Vietnam’s Financial and Business News Channel (center) the designated media area before the start of MICE Convention 2013 at SMX Convention Center in J.P. Lau-

rel Avenue, Lanang, Davao City yesterday. The said event was graced and formally opened by President Benigno Aquino III. Lean Daval Jr.

Aquino inks law...

FFROM 2 dustry’s target of 10 million international visitors by 2016,” adding, “These visitors are expected to contribute about P50 billion in tax revenues from their expenses by 2016.”

In Aquino’s opening speech at the MICECon, he said, “This will actually mean an initial revenue loss for us, but it is ultimately a strategic move, airlines have long asked for this measure since it will only bring in more traffic and facilitate connectivity among other

countries.”

“With this law, everybody wins, from the aviation industry, to the tourism industry, and the millions of our people who will have greater freedom in planning their trips,” the president added.

Aquino signed the law in the presence of House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Rep. Ungab, the principal sponsor of the bill, Jerry Treñas representative from the lone district of Iloilo City, prin-

cipal author, Rep. Mylene Garcia-Albano of Davao City’s 2nd district, 1st district Rep. Maria Carmen Zamora of Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte 1st district Rep. Anthony del Rosario, 1st district Western Samar Rep. Mel Senen Sarmiento, Wesley Gatchalian of Alay Buhay, Senator Drilon, the principal author and sponsor of the law in the Senate, and Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez as witnesses.

no, some of the significant events that will be taking place in the Philippines are the 23rd Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in 2015, the United Nation’s World Tourism Organization regional commission, and the East Asia Summit for the World Economic Forum in 2014.

“The country is confident to host these events, he said, “because we have the facilities, skills and competence to get things done,” adding,

that just last month “the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) sent a coordinated validation commission to the country to review the efforts of the Philippine Civil Aviation Authority.”

“I am pleased to relay that the members of the ICAO team expressed great satisfaction with our work, in fact, the ICAo already lifted the significant safety concerns previously issued against the Phillipines,” the president said.

downstream petroleum business in the Philippines.

Uy embarked on projects that helped thousands of people, such as adopt-a-school program; scholarships; adopting the Philippine eagle; Pawikan Conservation Project; Medical/Dental missions; Coastal Clean-up Drive; Philippine Coast Guard Disaster relief program and supporting sports development programs.

“Uy was born and

raised in Davao City and at his relatively young age, he has contributed so much not only here in Davao City but to the country also,” Braga said.

Braga explained that they deserve the award because of their exemplary competence and dedication to the city while serving as an inspiration to residents of Davao City.

The awarding ceremony will be held at the Royal Mandaya Hotel on March 15.

PNoy hails...

FFROM 2 “Fortunately, the secretary and I will not allow any breathing space, which is why we revised the target to 56.1 million domestic travelers by 2016,” the president added.

He commended the event, saying that the MICE market amplifies the respective strengths of the country as the government actively campaigns to host events that involve top global leaders in the industry and government.

According to Aqui-

Datu Bago...

FFROM 2

cer prevention through her cancer awareness program where she gives free consultations and screenings, even giving away free medicines,” Braga explained.

On the other hand, Uy, the founder and chief executive officer of Phoenix Petroleum Incorporated, built his Davao-based startup business to become not only the leading independent oil company in the country, but a model for the future of the

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Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late ENRIQUE PASIA, has been EXTRA-JUDICIALLY SETTLED, executed by among hIS heirs per Doc. No.22, Page No. 45, Book No. 52, Series of 2013, of the NOTARY PUBLIC SILVANIO T. LIZA

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EDGEDAVAO VOL.5 ISSUE 262 • FRIDAY - SATURDAY, MARCH 8-9, 2013

250 golfers in Phoenix Open A

BOUT 250 golfers coming from different industries all over the country like banking, engineering, shipping, and the petroleum industry are expected to see action on March 9, 2013 at the Phoenix Open Golf Tournament at the Rancho Palos Verdes Golf and Country Club in Davao City.

They will all seek to win a million pesos in cash, 100,000 pesos worth of Phoenix fuel cards, a 6KVA Shinsetsu Generator, a Skygo Wizard 125 motorcycle, an MCX Raptor 125cc motorcycle, and an Isuzu Crosswind in designated par 3 holes of the golf course.

Lucky winners shall also receive Royal Selan-

gor Pewter Plates. Champions shall receive limited edition Phoenix signature golf bags.

Special prizes will also be given away to winners who make the “nearest to the pin”, “longest drive” and the “most accurate drive”. Surprises and fun games will also follow at the tee houses and at the clubhouse during the awarding ceremony.

The award rites will be hosted by comedian and entertainer Ethel Booba and golfer/Davao comedian host Ting Castillo.

Proceeds from the Phoenix Open will go to the advocacies supported

by Phoenix Philippines Foundation, Inc. Registration is still ongoing at the Rancho Palos

Verdes Golf and Country Club.

The 5th Phoenix Golf Tournament is presented by Phoenix Petroleum Philippines and Pioneer Insurance.

Major sponsors of the Phoenix Petroleum Araw ng Dabaw events are Connex Technology & Industrial Services, Joy Trade Marketing, Kairos, Contractors Supply Depot, Custom Grafix, Algon Engineering, Seadove Maritime Services, Inc., and Trans-overseas (Gilbarco). Gold sponsors are Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Brenton Engineering Product Corp, Mechatrends, EEI Construction & Marine, Inc., and BDO. Silver sponsors are Gov. Arturo Uy, Servityre/

Aeolous, ESBE Builders, Isuzu Davao, Yangking Engineering, RB Apilado, FC Core Construction, EMCOR, HSBC, and Development Bank of the Philippines. Bronze sponsors are Chinatrust, Loc-Seal Industrial Corp., Unifield Enterprises, Fluidynamics, Motortrade, Cebu DLS, Ohcotech Corporation, RMH Engineering, Astig Energy Drink, Unifrutti, DOLE Philippines, Marchael Fishing, POLLO PORCO LECHON, China Bank, KEWL Solutions, Fasttrack Solutions, Inc., Greenflex Consulting, Hope Management & Engineering Services, Land Bank of the Philippines, and IEPI-International Engineers Phils, Inc.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) drives to the basket past New Orleans Hornets forward Al-Farouq Aminu, behind, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans on Thursday (Manila time). (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Big Lakers comeback N

EW ORLEANS (AP) -- No matter how bad this season may look by the Lakers’ lofty standards, it should be obvious by now that Kobe Bryant isn’t remotely close to giving up.

Bryant scored 13 of his 42 points during a 20-0 run in the last 6:22 of the fourth quarter, and Los Angeles overcame a 25-point deficit to fend off the New Orleans Hornets, 108-102 on Wednesday night.

The vintage performance featured about every shot in Bryant’s extensive repertoire, from off-balance jumpers angling way from the hoop, to quick-strike transition

3-pointers, to driving layups as he was fouled. He also kept his teammates involved with 12 assists, and by the time the stirring comeback was complete, the Lakers had not only staved off potential embarrassment, but also emerged increasingly confident about their playoff chances. ‘’I believed we were going to win it the whole time,’’ Bryant said. ‘’The most important thing for me was to bring my teammates along with me. I had to force the game upon them a little bit and change the momentum and get everybody believing we could do this together.’’

ANGGUNIANG Panlungsod (SP) closed out the elimination round with a bang, drubbing City Engineers Office (CEO), 123 – 75, to enter the semifinal round of the 76th Araw ng Dabaw – DACHEA Basketball Tournament Category A at the Davao City Recreation Center Almendras Gym on Tuesday.

The resurgent City Council-based dribblers made an early booking to the final four after winning their last five games of the preliminary round.

SP found its mark early, taking 26 – 12 lead at the end of the first canto, and never looked back to seal the victory.

Christopher “Bong” Go and Dioven Braga scored 32 points each to spearhead the attack of SP which was never threatened all game long.

Seldom-used Ariel Bonleon played a monster game making 27 points while Dindo Pastor had 15 baskets to provide support for SP that ends the elimination round with 6 – 2 record.

SP tops CEO, enters semis S

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Built for a title TRMH-VMO parades explosive squad

By Neil Bravo

T

HIS is what you call powerhouse.

A frontline of three 6-7s and one 6-5 and an overall average ceiling of 6-3, two of the once feared gunners in the PBA, and a pair of explosive point guards.

A d d up the years of experience too and y o u have a team every

STAR POWER. Royal Mandaya Hotel-VMO’s squad boasts of 6-5 Fil-Am Mark Jeffries (top), former Alaska guard Julius Pasculada (below left), former EAC General Cedric Happi (middle) and possibly current Globalport import Justin Williams (right).

coach is salivating.

Royal Mandaya Hotel-VMO will be parading a team built for a championship in the coming Araw ng Dabaw basketball tournament on March 12-15 at the Davao City Recreation Center.

Team spokesperson Jek Melendres bared the line-up of the team which lost the championship last year despite a strong line-up.

TRMH-VMO, however, is coming off their title run in the last Kadayawan cagefest.

Things will be vastly different this time though.

For one, their main cog 6-8 Devon Sullivan is no longer in the line-up and instead will be playing for rival Montana Pawnshop, the defending champion.

Melendres, however, said the team will hardly miss Sullivan. In his place are three giants at the frontline led by PBA veterans Ervin Sotto, Mark Andaya and Cedric Happi—all 6-7. Happi, a former Emilio Aguinaldo College General, is an exciting player who could be light up the floor anytime.

Another player to watch is 6-5 Mark Jeffries, a veteran of the Asean Basketball League. He will be playing as a local this time after Melendres confirmed he has secured a Philippine passport. Jeffries is a half-Filipino wingman who played for Westport Dragons of Malaysia.

Calling the plays for the Hoteliers are three players with PBA experience in former Alaska Ace and Jeremy Lin look-alike Julius Pasculado, Lou Gantumbato and Fil-Am Ramsey Williams, who played for Air21 Express in the PBA and for the Brunei Barracudas in the ABL. The points will come from two of

the most prolific scorers in the PBA—Jojo Tangkay, Francis Adriano and Cris Calaguio.

Forwards 6-3 Hafer Mondragon and 6-5 JR Gerilla complete the squad to be coached by a battery of local mentors led by head coaches Migs Solitaria and Rey Josol with assistants Bambi Santander, Dindo Pastor, Cadel Mosqueda and Mark Bonifacio.

If that is already intimidating, think again.

Melendres is keeping one more card close to their chest.

“There’s one more player, our import, and we cannot announce it as of today yet,” he told the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) yesterday.

That player could be Justin Williams, the current shot-blocking import of Global Port in the PBA. The problem is, Williams might be staying on as import in the PBA afterall.

“If he is cut, we will be signing him up for the tournament as our import,” Melendres said.

GlobalPort team manager BJ Manalo on Wednesday confirmed Williams could be hanging on to his spot in the team. “Yung reports na si Justin Williams papalitan, walang katotohanan yan.

Of course, he was hurt when reports came out that he will be replaced, but I told him not to believe them until I talk to him straight up,” said Manalo in a recent report.

GlobalPort coach Junel Baculi made his disappointment with Williams’ performance clear after the import scored just five points in GlobalPort’s loss to Meralco last February 24. Baculi said Williams was under evaluation.

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Davao goes MADz IT is not often that a national treasure in the performing arts visits Davao. It is even rarer to have that national treasure share their techniques and knowledge to the people. But during the recent choral clinic for local choirs in Davao City held by the Philippine Madrigal singers, one can say that beautiful seeds of culture and song have been planted.

This was more evident during the performance at the Annex of SM City Davao last March 4 where the Ateneo de Davao Carillion Glee Club,

UP Mindanao Koro Kantahanay, Saint Joseph Chorale Ensemble, Saint Mary’s College Chorale, and the USEP Harmonia Polifonica Chorale

came together with the Philippine Madrigal Singers for a recital to show off what they have learned under the tute-

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UP AND ABOUT

Art MADE in Public at SM Lanang Premier

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New York Festivals Nominee “Oras Na” out now on DVD

INTERNATIONA L LY-accl aime d Oras Na, GMA News and Public Affairs’ thought-provoking documentary on the deteriorating state of the environment, is now out on DVD.

A joint project of the Metrobank Foundation and SM Lanang Premier in partnership with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Art MADE in Public exhibition will be open for viewing at the Atrium of SM Lanang Premier on March 11-17.

The touring exhibit was first launched in SM North Edsa last month and was then brought to SM City Manila and SM City Cebu. In June, it will make its final pit stop at The Podium.

The MADE showcases the Metrobank Art and Design Excellence Competition’s award winning artworks for the past twenty eight years. It will be composed of four categories Painting, Architecture, Sculpture, and Interior Design.

More than a display of talent, Art MADE in Public is a reunion of the shared vision of now established artists who have distinguished themselves in their respective places in the art world. Apart from the exhibit, Metrobank Foundation will also hold workshops on March 12.

The Metrobank Art and Design Excellence Competition is a 28 year annual art and design competition which aims to promote Filipino art and design by awarding young Filipino artists and designers and launching their careers.

For inquiries, call 285.0943. Like SM Lanang Premier on Facebook or follow @smlanangpremier on Twitter for event and promo updates.

KEEP YOUR BODY WARM and comfortable with a colourful baby blanket. Get it free for a minimum single-receipt purchase of P1,000 from the Infants’ Wear Department of SM Department Store. Promo is from March 1 to 15 only so visit the nearest SM Store now.

After receiving the Martine Filippi Award for Discovery in the prestigious International Union Radiophonique et Télévisuelle Internationale (URTI) Grand Prix for Author’s Documentary in 2012, Oras Na once again receives commendation after being nominated in this year’s New York Festivals for the Environment and Ecology category.

Hosted by actor and environmental advocate Richard Gutierrez, the ambitious project which took months to complete uniquely presented the threatening repercussions brought about by human activities that harm the environment.

Oras Na poses a warning that time might be running out—a visual presentation of how the most basic resources sustaining human life may be ex-

hausted years ahead of the worldwide deadline—and how this can be felt in the Philippines.

From the degenerating tropical forest in Surigao, a severe case of deforestation due to massive illegal logging; the waning supply of fresh water available for everyone—as depicted by a documentation of a

community’s hard work in Bohol manually digging up a well to serve as the town’s reservoir while households in Metro Manila waste up to 50 million liters of water everyday; to the decline of tuna harvest in General Santos City describing the apparent corrosion of marine and aquatic resources.

Capturing potential clues to what experts believe are this generation’s most crucial deadlines, Oras Na proves that every action taken for or against the environment entails a consequence that can either lead to the planet’s conservation or degradation.

Time may indeed be running out, and what once seemed to be bountiful may be reaching its breaking point. From the same News and Public Affairs team that brought Signos, Wildlife For Sale, and the multi-awarded Planet Philippines , Oras Na is a documentary that seeks to find answers to some of the most important questions of this generation. Is it possible that everything could run out?

How much time is left to avert the deadlines?

Manufactured by GMA Records and GMA Marketing and Productions Inc., “Oras Na”—with English subtitle and bonus features – is available in all Odyssey, SM Music and Video, Astrovision, and Astroplus branches nationwide at P450 per copy.

GMA Kapuso stars join Araw ng Dabaw at SM Davao on March 17 CELEBRATIONS are more exciting at SM City Davao! Apart from amazing discounts during the Araw ng Dabaw Sale at SM City Davao on March 11-17, SM ends its week-long celebration with

GMA7’s hottest artists Maxene Magalona, Dennis Trillo and Rafael Rosell on March 17 (Sunday) at the Annex.

Star of the 2013 historical drama series Indio, Maxene will melt Davaoenos’ hearts away

TRUST HOME DEPOT’s scorching hot deals in Summer Stars promo. THD will be making your hot season gigs more fun with the coolest deals on outdoor gear. All Coleman products are on sale at 10% off the retail price, and with every purchase of 2-in-1 Bounce Gas Stove (LPG and Butane), get three (3) cans of Butane Gas for free! The Summer Stars offer is good from March 6 to 20, 2013. For more details, please call Trust Home Depot at 29TRUST, 284-0073, 284-1769, 295-3588. Or visit THD at Quimpo Blvd., Ecoland Drive, Matina, Davao City

on Sunday while GMA 7’s leading men from “Temptation of Wife” Dennis and Rafael will surely heat up the afternoon.

This Araw ng Dabaw, everything’s at SM City Davao! Avail of up to 70% discount on unbelievable selections at SM Davao’s Araw ng Dabaw Sale on March 11-17. Mall hours are extended until 10 PM on Friday (March15) and until midnight on Saturday (March16).

For inquiries, please call 297.6998. Like SM City Davao on Facebook and follow @smcitydavao on Twitter for event and promo updates.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Kate Moss stuns in brunette wig and see-through dress at Paris Fashion Week IS that you, Kate Moss?

The stunning supermodel rocked the runway at the Marc Jacob’s Louis Vuitton show at Paris Fashion Week today, and she certainly brought the wow-factor, wearing an entirely sheer dress and short brunette wig.

Of course, since this is Kate Moss we’re talking about, she pulled off the seductive look with ease and elegance, strutting down the runway like a pro in her embellished floor-length gown.

Sporting wardrobemalfunction couture only fit for the catwalk, Moss suffered a runway appropriate nip slip and sported tiny gray briefs under the see-through dress.

The 39-year-old oftblond beauty also rocked a cropped brown ‘do which highlighted her enviable cheekbones, and she wore sky-high embellished heels to complete the look.

Moss was joined by

PFW It Girl Cara Delevingne, who also wore a similar wig on the runway, although Kate ultimately stole the fashion

spotlight.

Then again, we’re not surprised—Moss always has a way of commanding attention.

Paris Jackson gets peppy in cheerleading uniform for school’s basketball game DON’T let that edgy haircut fool you— Paris Jackson’s got spirit.

Michael Jackson’s 14-year-old daughter slipped into her blackand-orange cheerleading uniform and grabbed her pom-poms to root for Buckley High School’s basketball team as they faced San Luis Obispo, Calif.’s Mission Prep for the CIF Southern Section title.

And she must have been their good luck charm, because for the first time in 80 years the Griffins took the championship!

Paris was caught by photographers in midcheer, clearly showing off her exquisite form when it comes to the traditional jump-and-clap, but she couldn’t help but show her goofy side as well. “lol this may just be the best picture ever,” she

wrote along with a photo on Twitter of herself sticking her tongue out at the camera.

Jackson debuted her shorter and darker ‘do (which only accentuate those baby blues that much more) in mid-Feb-

ruary through a twitpic, where she tweeted, “Yay for tea,” without any mention of the drastic makeover.

Are you loving the new haircut paired with her cheer uniform? Sound off in the comments!

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Davao goes MADz...

FFROM A1

The Philippine Madrigal Singers brought the house down.

lage of MADz choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio.

The show was opened with the wonderful Prayer of St Francis performed by all the five choral groups together with the Madrigals. The one hundred voices in glorious harmony made the prayer and the Philippine national anthem that followed, a delight to the ears and to the soul.

Each group then executed their pieces—Carillion sang Inday sa Balitaw, Koro Kantahanay did an exciting rendition of Te Quierro, St Joseph did a heart-warming interpretation of Love is the Answer, St Mary’s entertained the audience with the very popular Pusong Bato, and Polifonica did a fun Manang Biday number.

The Madrigal Singers then took the centre stage with three songs, my favourite of which is the OPM “Very Special Love” which was light yet romantic.

Together with the local choir masters.

For the finale, the choirs all joined the MADz on the stage for a the song “Iisang Bangka” and “One Voice”. The tone and beat of Iisang Bangka in particular, stirred a sense of pride of being Filipino. It is no wonder the Philippine Madrigal Singers are the best of the lot, truly a national treasure worthy to be proud of and rightfully worth to be crazy mad about.

Follow me on Twitter and on Instagram @ kennethkingong for more happenings in and around and beyond Durianburg.

MADz singing A Very Special Love.

The USEP Harmonia Polifonica Chorale with conductor Mark The Ateneo de Davao Carillion Glee Club with conductor Arjay Viray.

Anthony Babalcon.

UP Mindanao Koro Kantahanay and conductor Marlon Berzamina.

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ARAW NG DABAW CAGEFEST

SPORTS 15

Team Villar completes cast

By Neil Bravo

A

ND then there are four.

Team Villar, a barnstorming squad made up of ragtag players from Manila, will be taking the spot left by Cebu’s M. Lhuillier in the Araw ng Dabaw Basketball Tournament set to start March 12 at the Davao City Recreation Center.

Team Villar’s participation

was confirmed yesterday by Wil-

liam “Butch” Ramirez of Liga Dabaw.

The four teams competing for the four-day cagefest organized by Liga Dabaw and sponsored by the City Government of Davao are defending champion Montana Pawnshop, Royal Mandaya Hotel-VMO and Goldstar Hardware.

Team Villar will be bannered by former PBA pros Christian Nicda o ,

IMPORT. Former San Beda star Sam Ekwe will strut his wares for the first time before the Davao hoop fans.

Dexter’s Pizza slamfest to spice up AnD tourney

L

OCAL hoop fans will be treated to a grand show of monster slams and burning three-point shots when Dexter’s Pizza provides the extra entertainment to the Araw ng Dabaw basketball tournament which begins on March 12 at the Davao City Recreation Center.

Tournament organizer Butch Ramirez of Liga Dabaw yesterday con-

firmed the partnership with Dexter’s Pizza manager Bai Lim during the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at Dexter’s Pizza Stadium.

“We are happy to partner with Dexter’s Pizza in this tournament,” said Ramirez.

“Dexter’s Pizza will always be associated with sports and we are happy that our brand is into basketball also,”

said Lim. The slamfest and shootout will be held in all four days of the tournament. The slamfest will be open to all players including those not part of the tournament.

The 3-Point shootout meantime will be for the players of the tournament only.

The daily winners will win P3,000 each.

(Neil Bravo)

Chester Tolomia, Erian Daja, John Villaver, Jonathan Parreno, Chris Concepcion, Darwin Cordero, David Sebastian, Oca delos Reyes, Rolando Navarro, John Yap and Fritz Vesagas.

The team will be coached by Tony Chiong and managed by Joseph Sebastian.

The Pawnbrokers will try to defend its title with an almost similar line-up including balik-Montana Devon Sullivan.

The Pawnbrokers will parade a line-up consisting of Ronald

Lamocha, Tibs Blanco, Leo Fernandez, Don Adorneo, Bonbon Bulac, Josh Adalid, Nestor Martinez, Jano Nunez, Edgar Awiten and JR de Guzman.

The team will be coached by Nick Serafica with Dong Cagampang and Peter Epe as assistants.

Goldstar Hardware will be the tournament darkhorse after they signed up former San Beda stars Sam Ekwe and Pong Escobal, a Davawenyo who played for Talk N Text in the PBA. Others in the Gold-

star squad are Leomer Losentes, Edmar Patenio, Rey Colina, Jay Cabanog, Igot Jawod, Dado Ayson, Marlon Basco and Junar Pinto.

The Hardwaremen will be coached by Roderick Conda with Ice Gravador as assistant.

The biggest threat to the title of Montana will have to be Royal Mandaya Hotel-VMO with a star-studded lineup that includes Cris Calaguio, Francis Adriano, Jojo Tangkay, Mark Jeffries, Ramsey Williams and Cedric Happi (see separate story).

City Government-sponsored event with touch challenge coming from youthful Fide Master Austin Jacob Literatus, NM Alex Lupian and NM Aki Macala.

Also playing in the tournament are Henry Lopez of Davao del Norte and Jimmy Dano of Digos City.

The tournament will be played in a 7-round Swiss System format with the winner taking home P5,000, second place P2,500, third place P1,500, fourth place P750 and fifth place P500.

Registration for the NCFP-sanctioned event is free. (Neil Bravo)

to come,” said Mata.

Meanwhile, Phoenix Team Davao will be bannered by the Pineda brothers – Kimboy and Jesse, Jeven Lagrada, Tristan Galanto, Bonjo Lagrada, Michael Tapic, 9-year old IJ Mercado and the Mata brothers – Abu, 16, and Luis, 20.

The other racing teams arriving are Team Don Marcelino of Davao del Sur, Mafoko Racing team of T’boli, South Cotabato; Team Dinand of Koronadal City; Team 125 of Gen. Santos City and Team Alfonso of Bukidnon.

Also to show their wares are Jed Luna of Tandag, Pepeng Mar of Zamboanga, Ralph

Boyhon of Antipas, Cotabato; Lester Padilla, Russel Padilla and Koko Dimaano of Kidapawan; Kennedy Tenerife of Polomolok; John Almerino and Glen Lopez of Bukidnon and Davao’s Tots Lumantas.

The second leg of the Phoenix Mindanao Moto-X Series will be held on May 5 in Butuan, June in Pati-ay, Agusan del Sur; August on Kadayawan Festival in Davao; November in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao; and December in the Pasko Fiesta sa Davao City.

At least 100 riders are expected to compete in the said series which will determine the Rider of the Year.

PNA

AnD Open chess tourney at NCCC T

OP chess players in the region will be vying for the Araw ng Dabaw Open chess tournament which begins on Saturday at the NCCC Mall.

Tournament director James Infiesto said IM-candidate Reggie Olay will be the top-seeded player of the

No. 2 rider Yuzon in AnD motocross T

HE country’s no. 2 ranked motocross rider Donark Yuzon of Iloilo City will be joining the first leg of the Phoenix Mindanao Moto-X Series set on March 16 and 17 at the Crocodile Park Complex in Ma-a, this city.

“Donark of Sel-J Sports has confirmed that he is coming to race,” said organizer Bok Mata during the signing of the memorandum of agreement of Moto-X Davao as the “Phoenix Cyclomax Motocross Ambassador” last Wednesday at Hotel Tropicana.

“The country’s no.

1 Jovie Saulog and movie actor Jordan Herrera has also expressed their interest

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